Socialists want govt to reveal cost of “eastern opening” strategy

Budapest, July 7 (MTI) – The opposition Socialists aim to obtain details of government spending on its “eastern opening” strategy through a public data request, Bertalan Toth, the party’s deputy group leader, said.

The government has “wasted huge amounts” in taxpayer money in connection with these policies, including over 700 million forints (EUR 2.2m) in travel expenses and consultancy fees, Toth told a press conference on Tuesday.

The Socialists have made a written question on this issue to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and are also filing a public data request to gain access to contracts and reports related to the strategy, he said.

The Hungarian National Trading House operated from public funds, for instance, made losses of 2.4 billion forints according to last year’s report. This is the company that had placed 4 billion forints with the scandal-ridden brokerage Quaestor whose business associates are now under arrest, Toth added.

In response, ruling Fidesz accused the Socialists of “neglecting the interests of Hungary’s ventures”.