Prime Minister Orders Investigation After Wiretap Claims

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for an inquiry after allegations that his foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, was secretly monitored. The request comes as Hungary readies for its April election and deals with rumors about ties to Russia. Szijjarto, who has been in office since 2010, said he often made calls during EU meetings to share live updates with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He denied any wrongdoing and called the story “fake news. ” A government spokesperson did not comment on whether these calls were legitimate. A conservative outlet, Mandiner, published a recording in which journalist Szabolcs Panyi claims to have spoken with a source who provided two phone numbers. These numbers, according to Panyi, were used by Szijjarto for calls that may have involved a foreign intelligence agency. Panyi said he compared the numbers with information from a European security service to investigate possible data sharing with Russia.

Szijjarto reacted strongly, calling the report shocking. In a video on Facebook he noted that it was “astonishing” for a journalist to have the cooperation of foreign intelligence services. He added that he had met President Vladimir Putin in March to discuss oil supplies, a visit that many see as part of Hungary’s close relationship with Russia. Orban has maintained warm ties with Putin, even during the Ukraine conflict. Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, and last week Orban blocked an EU loan to Ukraine over a dispute about a damaged oil pipeline. The investigation is part of Orban’s broader strategy to address media reports and protect his party’s standing in the upcoming election, where opposition parties are currently leading polls.

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