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Publication of the document would put an end to the “chaos, double-talk, and attempts to shake off responsibility”, the paper quoted Tarlós as saying. In the document, OLAF listed 78 instances in the metro project in which criminal activities were suspected, Tarlós said, insisting that all but one had been committed before 2010.

On the subject of Budapest’s 2024 Olympic bid, Tarlós was asked why he had changed his mind from a negative to a positive stance. He noted that the International Olympic Committee had changed bid conditions in 2015, improving the chances of cities like Budapest to successfully host the Games.

He added that many people were mistaken to believe that Hungary and Budapest would foot the bill alone, and the IOC would contribute large amounts of funding to help Hungary finance the games.

He also noted the potential in sponsorship and private investment. “Budapest can only do well out of it,” Tarlós insisted.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Marjai János