Hungary Creates New Agency to Combat Orbán-Era Corruption
Hungarian lawmakers approved the creation of a National Asset Recovery Agency tasked with reclaiming illegally appropriated state funds, particularly those misused during the 16-year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
On Tuesday, July 28, Hungarian deputies approved the establishment of the National Asset Recovery Agency, fulfilling one of Prime Minister Peter Magyar's key anti-corruption pledges. The agency will serve as the centerpiece of the government's efforts to hold former Orbán-era officials accountable.
Unlike anti-corruption bodies in other European countries, this new Hungarian agency will combine powers typically distributed among prosecutors, police, financial investigators, and civil attorneys. Its broadest authorities include the right to take over corruption investigations from other bodies, access confidential financial data, and impose fines of up to 5 billion forints ($16 million) for obstructing investigations.
The agency will be empowered to investigate crimes, bring criminal charges against suspects, file civil lawsuits to recover assets, and even temporarily take control of companies suspected of holding illegally obtained state assets.
Recently, Magyar announced that Hungary plans to expand the corporate tax base by abolishing "selective" taxes from the Orbán era. Additionally, the government has sent a report to the police concerning suspected misuse of state funds in the procurement of educational software by the previous administration.
