A new chapter in the Hungarian construction industry: the Minister for Transport and Investment has been appointed

A new chapter began in the Hungarian construction industry on 12 May: Dávid Vitézy was appointed Minister for Transport and Investment. The members of the new government were officially appointed by President Tamás Sulyok in the early afternoon on Tuesday at the Sándor Palace; following this, the members of the new government will take the oath of office in Parliament.

The Minister for Construction appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Transport and Investment on Monday ahead of his appointment. The committee approved the transport expert’s appointment by six votes in favour and one abstention.

Before the meeting, Dávid Vitézy announced that Zsolt Tárkányi would be assisting him in his work as Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Investment.

The era of the independent Ministry of Construction is coming to an end

Today marks the end of a four-year era: in May 2022, with the formation of the fifth Orbán government, after many decades the construction industry was given its own ministry, which began as the Ministry of Construction and Investment, before continuing its work a few months later as Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium.

One of the key measures taken by the Ministry during this four-year period was the introduction of the Act on State Construction Projects and the new Architecture Act, which were in July 2023 and December 2023.

He promised a transparent investment system at the committee hearing

Dávid Vitézy outlined the main priorities of the new ministry currently being established during his committee hearing on Monday. In his summary, he identified securing EU funding and ensuring it is spent in accordance with the rules and within the deadlines as one of the most important tasks.

He also mentioned that previous investment decisions would need to be reviewed in the coming period. The future ministry will also have to rebuild the institutional framework required for the preparation and implementation of public investment projects.

The focus may shift to the procurement of rail vehicles and the development of fixed-track transport networks in metropolitan areas

Among the plans relating to transport, the minister highlighted the need for suburban rail developments – including a fixed-track link to the airport – and the renewal of the rolling stock. He also mentioned that they are reviewing the situation regarding closed railway lines.

The outstanding road repairs must also be carried out

The condition of the national road network was also on the agenda. The minister pointed out that, whilst a number of expressway and motorway developments had been completed in recent years, the necessary repairs had not been carried out on some of the lower-grade and national roads. He identified improving the condition of the road network as a matter of urgency.

Reviewing investment regulations could also be a task

With regard to the investment area, the minister also spoke about reviewing the legal framework for priority investments and previous confidentiality practices. He promised transparency regarding the developments and emphasised the need to strive for cooperation and dialogue with those affected by the developments – the local population and local authorities. 

He brings with him experience in transport planning and urban development

Dávid Vitézy became a transport activist whilst still at secondary school. As a member of the Urban and Suburban Transport Association, he became involved in the reorganisation of the capital’s transport network. He graduated from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics with a degree in economics, specialising in urban development. During his professional career to date, he has held the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Budapest Transport Centre, head of the Budapest Development Centre, and Director-General of the Hungarian Museum of Technology and Transport. In 2024, he stood as a candidate for Mayor of Budapest, and subsequently served on the Budapest General Assembly as a member of the Podmaniczky Movement faction, which he had founded.