 |
|
 
|
|
|
HATC SAMPLE EDITION:
|
|
15th July, 2026
August 20 events less costly this year
The August 20 celebrations will be arranged for less than one-third of the initially planned budget and amid simpler, more rational and cost efficient organisation frameworks, Interior Minister Gábor Pósfai announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
The state-owned Event Management Agency (NRÜ) has terminated its framework agreement with Lounge Event, meaning the latter company will no longer organise this year’s August 20 state celebrations.
The contract, signed in February, specified Ft 5 billion for the organisation of the fireworks display and Ft 12.5 billion for related events to be paid to the company owned by Gyula Balásy.
Lounge Event had begun fulfilling individual orders, and the NRÜ had paid the Balásy-owned companies Ft 8.7 billion before the agreement was cancelled.
The decision follows a criminal investigation launched in May into companies linked to the Balásy family on suspicion of mismanagement and money laundering.
The group’s bank accounts were frozen, and the tax authority also began enforcement proceedings.
The NRÜ launched a new procurement procedure on July 7, but, due to the limited timeframe, it opted for a negotiated procedure without inviting bids, a process that restricts public competition.
The August 20 celebrations will go ahead, but with reduced technical arrangements, according to the NRÜ.
The reduction of the costs will not affect the dignity of the holiday, the safety of the participants nor the implementation of the family, cultural, music and evening spectacle, said Pósfai.
|
Sources regularly consulted, with abbreviations used in text: Népszabadság (N); Magyar Hírlap (MH); Világgazdaság (VG); Napi Gazdaság (NG); Magyar Nemzet (MN); Népszava (Nsz); Kossuth Rádió news (KR); nightly TV news (TV).
|
|
|
 Contact
Free Trial Subscription
|
|
