Hungary’s Parliament is set to deliberate on Monday whether to lift the immunity of two former ministers amid ongoing high-profile corruption investigations. This move is part of the government’s broader anti-corruption initiative, dubbed “Operation Purgatory,” spearheaded by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The newly formed National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, established in 2026, is at the forefront of these efforts, tasked with tracking, protecting, and recovering public assets suspected of being unlawfully removed from state ownership.
The investigation’s focus includes cases related to public procurement, state subsidies, concessions, European Union funds, and state-owned companies. The office has the authority to conduct investigations and represent public prosecution in related court proceedings. The two former ministers under scrutiny, Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták, are linked to investigations involving the National Cultural Fund and Volánbusz, respectively. Both have denied any wrongdoing, and no convictions have been reported in their cases.
In addition to Hankó and Seszták, Parliament is also expected to examine immunity cases concerning Prime Minister Péter Magyar and MP Mária Gurzó. The Prime Minister has emphasized that the asset recovery office is a key component of his government’s comprehensive institutional and anti-corruption reforms.
While the asset recovery office has yet to announce which cases it will formally pursue first, its establishment marks a significant step in the government’s campaign against corruption. The outcome of the parliamentary session could signal a pivotal moment in Hungary’s efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public office.