In a bid to secure funding from the European Union, a mayor in eastern Hungary sought money to construct a “treetop canopy walkway” offering scenic views of the forest near his village. Despite receiving a grant of approximately $175,000 in 2021, the project in Nyirmartonfalva hit a snag – the mayor, a supporter of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, had already cut down all the trees on the land where the walkway was to be built, leaving behind a barren landscape.
This controversial project is just one of many initiatives undertaken in Hungary with E.U. funding to bridge the economic divide between western and eastern member states. While Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized Brussels, he has utilized E.U. funds to benefit his political allies.
A scandal erupted when the walkway, devoid of trees, came to light, leading to an investigation by the E.U. anti-fraud office. The Hungarian government admitted the project did not meet grant requirements and cancelled funding.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability in Hungary. Reports of widespread corruption involving Fidesz-connected individuals, including the Prime Minister’s son-in-law, have further fueled public discontent. Anti-graft watchdog Transparency International has ranked Hungary as the most corrupt E.U. country.
The mayor behind the treeless walkway, Filemon Maholy, has faced backlash and ridicule from locals and opposition figures. Despite attempts to defend the project, Maholy has faced criticism and scrutiny. The village of Nyirmartonfalva, once a beneficiary of E.U. funds for development, now finds itself at the center of a scandal involving misused public money and alleged corruption.