The head of Hungary’s anti-corruption authority has called for an investigation into the actions of high-ranking officials from Viktor Orbán’s former government over the possible embezzlement of billions of euros from European Union funds.
According to Ferenc Pál Bíró, President of the Hungarian Integrity Authority, senior officials from the previous administration may have been involved in a systematic scheme to defraud European taxpayers during Orbán’s 16-year rule.
Bíró stated that his office has identified several criminal cases where funds could potentially be recovered. According to his estimates, three companies received the majority of public contracts for goods and services, with prices artificially inflated. Over the past four years, the state spent around €10 billion on these firms, while the amount of overpayments linked to corruption risks could reach €3.5 billion. Tenders were manipulated, and basic goods were sold to the state at several times the market price.
“High-ranking politicians may and probably will be prosecuted,” Bíró emphasized. He noted that a large portion of the funds has already been transferred out of the country and urged the new government to actively work on recovering the money.
The statement comes amid efforts by Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, to unblock EU funds frozen by the European Union. More than €10 billion (with some estimates up to €16.4 billion) were suspended due to rule of law violations under Orbán. Magyar has already held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and pledged to implement the necessary reforms.
The Hungarian Integrity Authority was established in 2022 under pressure from Brussels and operates independently. Bíró revealed that under the previous government, he faced political pressure and even attempts at bribery. The new government plans to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), something Orbán had categorically refused.
The European Commission reaffirmed its “zero tolerance” policy toward fraud involving the EU budget and stated that member states are obligated to return misspent funds.