US-Hungary row gets tougher. Top US diplomat says Budapest might not longer be an ally

Corruption trends in Hungary could continue to a level where the US could no longer co-operate with Hungary as an ally, US chargé d’affaires André Goodfriend told a Monday press conference, as quoted by Politics.hu.

This is something the US wants to avoid, he said, and that is why the US wanted to help stop this trend.

He specified that the number of Hungarian public officials banned from the US due to evidence of corruption is six. All of them are either employees of the government or are in contact with the government.

Asked why this case erupted now, Goodfriend said US diplomats have been warning about worsening corruption in Hungary for a long time, as is clear in various reports.

However, he continued, there has been a negative trend in Hungary for 15 years, and the situation is becoming more serious.

Budapest has demanded immediate clarification from Washington over the banning of six Hungarian officials in what it’s described as an unprecedented move between NATO allies. Washington has accused the six of corruption, the case coming against a background of worsening relations between the two governments. “These are members of government, government officials, people affiliated with the government and that’s why we were providing the government with a courtesy notification,” said US Charge de Affaires Andre Goodfriend. During Monday’s National Security meeting a senior Hungarian ruling party MP claimed the US was interfering in Hungary’s domestic affairs. He demanded to see the evidence for the corruption charges and for the individuals involved to be named. “The Hungarian government stands in disbelief at these events since this is not the way to handle affairs among friends. We would hope that in the coming weeks we will succeed in settling these questions as between friends and not in front of the press,” said Chief of Staff Lazar Janos. Recent policy changes made by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government have been criticized by the US and the European Union. Critics claim they undermine democratic values and have facilitated the growing problem of corruption.