BUDAPEST, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian government has appointed a commissioner to investigate alleged foreign interference linked to U.S. funding, Gergely Gulyas, minister of the Prime Minister's Office announced on Thursday.

The move follows claims that the previous U.S. administration used financial resources to influence Hungarian media, civil society organizations, and political actors.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has tasked Andras Laszlo, a Fidesz Member of the European Parliament, with examining the distribution and impact of funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). "The significance of this matter for Hungary is enormous," Gulyas said at a press briefing. "We need a full, swift, and thorough investigation into how these funds were used and what influence they exerted."

According to Gulyas, the Hungarian government believes the case represents "one of the largest corruption scandals and sovereignty violations" in the Western world. He said that U.S. funds had allegedly been used to "purchase media outlets, journalists, political activists, and so-called civil organizations" to shape public opinion.

The government also plans to introduce legislative changes to prevent foreign political influence. "We will put forward legal amendments in the coming weeks, including possible constitutional changes, to ensure that no foreign power can interfere with money in Hungarian public life," Gulyas said.

Parliament is expected to debate the proposals in the following weeks.

The government has not yet provided further details on the scope of the investigation or the specific legislative measures under consideration. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)