Hungary’s new government under Péter Magyar intends to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), opening the door to independent investigations into possible corruption and misuse of European funds during Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule.
Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, who won a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026, stated that joining the EPPO will be one of the first steps of his cabinet. This will allow European prosecutors to directly investigate cases of EU budget fraud, including the period from 2017 when Orbán was in power.
“We will join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office so that EU investigators can examine the corruption schemes of the previous authorities,” Magyar emphasized. He compared the Orbán system to “industrial-scale corruption” and promised to recover frozen billions of euros, as well as investigate how the former prime minister’s inner circle enriched itself through public contracts.
Hungary under Orbán had long refused to participate in the EPPO, which blocked full prosecution of cases identified by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The office repeatedly recorded serious violations in the distribution of EU funds: inflated prices in tenders, conflicts of interest, and links to companies owned by relatives and associates of Orbán — in particular, cases connected to Orbán’s son-in-law István Tiborcz and the company Elios.
The EU had previously frozen approximately €17–35 billion for Hungary (depending on the source) due to systemic problems with the rule of law and corruption in public procurement. Joining the EPPO may unblock these funds following reforms.
Orbán’s allies are already accusing Magyar of “betraying national interests” and “submitting to the dictates of Brussels.” Orbán himself and his entourage have yet to comment on the new prime minister’s statements.
Hungary’s accession to the EPPO may take several months, but European experts already consider this a turning point: for the first time in many years, EU investigators will gain real access to documents and the ability to bring charges in cases involving the highest echelons of the previous Hungarian government.