"Botond Feledy’s analytical mistake: he did not take into account that we live in Hungary"

On Monday evening, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs terminated the contract of Botond Feledy, director of the Hungarian Institute of Foreign Affairs, due to a loss of trust. It was revealed that Feledy had been in a working relationship with the Orbán government for years, which raised concerns. His company had signed contracts worth approximately 84.2 million HUF with the Ministry of Construction and Transport for analyses and consultations. Prime Minister Orbán stated that the dismissal was difficult but necessary, as no one should hold a leadership position while concealing such financial ties. Political consultant András Keszthelyi defended Feledy’s integrity, emphasizing that he maintained a professional standard in his analyses. The situation highlights the rarity of analysts being respected across political divides in Hungary, with few examples of such bipartisan recognition.