District 2 of Budapest could face the fate of Óbuda amid corruption probe

A wide-ranging corruption investigation in Budapest has brought to light alleged illicit dealings involving politicians from various districts and political affiliations. The probe centers on accusations of regular bribe payments made to secure public contracts, impacting services such as park maintenance and catering.

Initial suspicions suggest that a businessman regularly paid corrupt money to Fidesz deputy mayor Péter Puskás in Budapest's 3rd district. This money was allegedly split 70:30 between Puskás and former Óbuda socialist representative Gergő Czeglédy, purportedly to ensure smooth cooperation between opposing political sides. The prosecution noted that this ratio was reversed after a political shift in the district's leadership.

Further allegations indicate that Puskás and Czeglédy also provided funds to Tünde Szkaliczki, a former Momentum representative who had criticized the park maintenance contract. This was allegedly done to stop her attacks, with the assistance of the businessman and party director Károly Matisz. The businessman also allegedly bribed Matisz separately to influence other representatives within his party.

The investigation extends to the 2nd district, where the businessman is accused of regularly paying bribe money to mayors Láng Zsolt and later Őrsi Gergely. Payments were also allegedly made to Láng and electoral district president Csaba Gór after their mayoral terms, to influence district representatives. Additionally, the businessman is accused of continuously paying corrupt money to then-MSZP parliamentary representative Zsolt Molnár, who allegedly cited his connections and the supposed redistribution of bribe money to exert party leadership influence over local politicians.

The case also involves a group providing catering services, whose owner and managing director allegedly bribed local officials to secure contracts. This group, with the businessman's help, also allegedly paid money to Pécs politician István Kőhegyi through Zsolt Molnár for similar reasons. Of the suspects recently questioned, eight are in custody, with the prosecution requesting their detention. The court will decide on the coercive measures.