Category Archives: Advisors of the state

A businessman known for yachting with Hungarian minister Péter Szijjártó was a member of a group of Fidesz activists destroying opposition’s posters

We looked into the contracts signed by the Hungarian government with “Mr. Russia”

How did Szijjártó’s futsal player friend become a top businessman?

“Az erőszak garantálja a sikert” – Így tarolta le a fél világot az Uber

124 ezer belső irat szivárgott ki az Uber amerikai techóriástól, az International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) nevű nemzetközi újságíró szervezet és 180 újságíró dolgozta fel őket. Az együttműködés egyedüli magyar tagja a Direkt36 volt. Az iratok az Uber ellentmondásos belső működésébe és agresszív lobbizási gyakorlatába nyújtanak betekintést.

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Leaked files of Uber reveal secret lobbying operations in Hungary

As part of an international investigative project, Direkt36 has gained access to the lobbying files of Uber, the world’s most well-known ride-sharing company. These documents revealed that the US company’s representatives had access to Hungarian ministers and other decision-makers. In the end, however, the Orbán government turned out to be more afraid of upsetting Hungarian taxi drivers, and this was partly the reason why Uber was defeated, and eventually left Hungary.

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A brand new Porsche, a special Ferrari, and billionaire businesses show the rise of Matolcsy’s circle

Resignations follow our exposé of lavish spending at a pro-government think tank

Around the world in luxury: How the son of a former PM benefits from Orbán’s regime

Valuable archaeological treasures were demolished under a priority construction of the Hungarian government

“Mr. Russia” is now helping Viktor Orbán’s government to nurture German relations

Companies close to Orbán’s allies will operate Hungarian trading houses in the Balkan

IT company to be taken over by government-linked businessman had important clients: prosecutors and secret services

People close to Viktor Orbán’s top advisor were involved in controversial golden visa program, confidential documents show

Orbán legtöbbet költő tanácsadójának étkezési szokásait védve titkolózik a kormány

Hegedűs Zsuzsa rekord összeget költött reprezentációra. A számlákat nem mutatja meg a kormány, mert azokból megismerhetnénk a kedvenc boltjait. Pedig állítólag nem magának vásárolt havi átlag 136 ezerért.

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Orbán’s best paid advisor spends an outstanding amount on representation too

Zsuzsa Hegedűs is the advisor of the Hungarian PM on social cohesion.
She recently got an outstanding pay-raise and she also spends the most
on representation despite her apparent inactivity.

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He served as deputy state minister. Meanwhile his company earned 325 thousand euros from state owned companies

He was an interpreter for the Hungarian Prime Minister’s friend. Now he is a major player in state-funded railway projects

He was complaining about business. Then his acquaintance became minister

Some years ago Sándor Börcsök, a Hungarian liquidator had complained about not receiving lucrative assignments. Then his old acquaintance, Miklós Seszták became the minister responsible for the liquidation industry and many things have changed.

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The police dropped the accusations in the controversial public media contract case

The police dropped the accusation about the contract the public media signed with a company linked to person close to Fidesz. The state company paid millions for products that could have been obtained almost for free.

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The state could have got it almost for free. They paid millions to a company linked to a Fidesz person

A media company owned by the state bought dozens of websites from a firm linked to a former Fidesz politician. The state firm paid hundreds of thousands of euros but could have had identical sites almost for free.

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