Investigators from the Hungarian Integrity Authority are scrutinizing public contracts worth 10 billion euros awarded during Viktor Orban’s government, alleging that 3.5 billion euros were systematically siphoned through manipulated tenders.
Corruption Allegations and EU Funds
The investigation centers on three companies that secured massive state contracts for goods and services over the last four years. The Hungarian Integrity Authority, led by Ferenc Pál Biró, claims these contracts were artificially inflated, with the misappropriated funds originating from EU budgets.
Ferenc Pál Biró indicated that the inflation of prices, which suggests a high risk of corruption, amounted to 3.5 billion euros. He stated that public tenders were manipulated and that high-ranking officials from the former Viktor Orban administration should be held accountable.
Unlocking EU Financial Aid
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently announced that the EU is prepared to unfreeze 16.2 billion euros in recovery and cohesion funds for Hungary, citing improvements in rule of law and anti-corruption reforms under the new government.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar described the deal as a historic breakthrough, noting that the funds represent nearly 13 percent of the national budget. The capital is intended to revitalize the economy, modernize energy grids, and restore public services.
Diplomatic Passport Scandal
The news portal 444 revealed that the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under former minister Peter Szijjarto, issued diplomatic passports to business figures linked to the Orban administration. The government has since moved to invalidate these documents.
Investigations confirmed that employees of firms tied to the former government—including those involved in maintaining foreign missions and building border fencing—held such passports. The ministry is currently working to revoke 776 diplomatic and 167 service passports issued without justification.
