Szijjártó said he would oversee the group’s external relations and development of new business lines. His move follows the April election defeat of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party to Péter Magyar’s pro‑European Tisza party. Having served in Hungary’s parliament since 2002 and heading the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry from 2014 to 2026, he also played a central role in negotiations that brought BYD’s first European passenger‑car factory to Szeged, in southern Hungary. The appointment may renew scrutiny of ties between Orbán’s former government and major Chinese investors. Szijjártó also faced criticism over relations with Moscow after leaked recordings suggested he briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on private EU discussions. In April, one recording indicated that he offered to provide Russia with a confidential EU document.