Hungary Passes Anti-Graft Measures, Eyeing EU Funds

The EU announced late last month it would unlock more than 16 billion euros ($18 billion) for Hungary that had been frozen over rule-of-law concerns during nationalist premier Viktor Orban’s rule, if Budapest stays on track with a major reform push.

Pro-EU conservative Magyar ousted Orban from office after 16 years in power in an April election, on a promise of “regime change.”

The anti-graft legislation easily passed a vote in parliament, where Magyar’s party holds more than two-thirds of the seats, enabling it to change key laws and amend the constitution without opposition support.

The approved legislation expands the legal powers of the anti-graft watchdog, the Integrity Authority, which was established in late 2022 as part of an earlier EU-mandated reform package.

Under the new regulations, the organization will scrutinize asset declarations and can seek continuation of anti-corruption investigations through the courts and suspend procurement processes to protect EU funds.