Audio recording causes controversy in Gyömrő: Gyenes, suspected of organised crime involvement, discussed removal of Kisberk
Three days before the Gyömrő by-election, Mayor Szabolcs Kisberk released a recording of a telephone conversation in which Levente Gyenes discusses his removal from office.
Gyenes on the recording: "Wait until we get Kisberk out of here"
Three days before the vote on 12 July, the Gyömrő by-election campaign took a dramatic turn. Mayor Szabolcs Kisberk released a recording of a telephone conversation in which the voice of former city leader Levente Gyenes can be heard, according to Index.
In the recorded call, an unknown caller sought advice on an industrial park development matter. Gyenes replied that the decision was up to the mayor, then added: "Wait until we get Kisberk out of here." When the caller asked whether he should approach the mayor in person, Gyenes suggested he try.
In a post accompanying the recording, Kisberk assessed that the audio material clearly revealed Gyenes's true objective, namely that he "will do everything to remove the current city leadership" because he currently lacks the influence to continue what the mayor called his "dubious dealings". According to Kisberk, if Gyenes enters the representative body, his sole goal will be "destruction and seizing power". The post also alluded to an April action by Good Living Here and the New Generation Association, which the mayor called a "coup attempt". The mayor called on voters in the 3rd district to consider carefully who they would vote for on Sunday.
Gyenes announced in early June that he would run as the fourth candidate in the district by-election. The vote was called because representative Hajnalka Takácsné Tóth resigned from her mandate in April. In addition to Gyenes, running are independent GP Andrea Tóth, who is backed by the city leadership, independent political scientist Árpád Lesti, and Milan Südi, the Momentum candidate.
Levente Gyenes held the office of mayor of Gyömrő for many years. In autumn 2022 he was detained: he is suspected of budget fraud constituting organised crime and causing particularly significant property damage. He was released in spring 2023, after which he was under criminal supervision and did not run in the 2024 local elections. A final court ruling in the criminal proceedings against him has not yet been handed down.
Index contacted Levente Gyenes to comment on the recording and the mayor's statements; his response will be published upon receipt.
Source: Index