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Viktor Orbán's political grip on Hungary is loosening, but not without a fierce struggle — and tensions appear to be mounting on multiple fronts.
The Hungarian Prosecutor's Office is accusing the director of the Hungarian Integrity Authority of embezzlement and falsifying documents, among other things.
Ferenc Biró is the boss of the organization tasked with fighting corruption in Hungary, but he has now been charged with corruption himself.
The man allegedly embezzled 400,000 euros from the Hungarian anti-corruption organization, but for now denies all accusations. "Entirely unjustified," he responded to the accusations to 24.hu. According to him, it is a political reckoning.
Biró has led the Integrity Authority since its inception in 2022.
Slander campaign by Orbán clan?
Last year, the man found himself in a media storm after he was accused of abusing power and using money from the organization to renovate his home, among other things. His wife also allegedly used service vehicles. He only admitted to the latter; he vehemently denies other allegations. According to Biró, the charges are part of a broader attempt to pressure him. Several days ago, he said in an interview that his anti-corruption organization was pressured by the regime of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to halt certain investigations.
Orbán clan itself corrupt?
According to the director of the Hungarian Integrity Authority, during Viktor Orbán's 16-year reign, more than 160 billion euros disappeared through systematic corruption. According to Ferenc Biró, certain figures from the previous government are therefore trying to divert attention from clientelism, embezzlement of European and domestic money and lack of transparency. Fidesz denies these accusations.
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, successfully challenged Viktor Orbán, breaking an important political chapter in Hungarian politics. Orban was head of government for as many as 16 years uninterrupted, leading it for a total of 20 years. That came to an end after his former ally won the election.
After all, opposition leader Péter Magyar used to be part of Orban's party, but stepped out, firmly opposed and, with his Tisza party, won the parliamentary elections in April with a large majority.
A symbol of Hungary's political turnaround, Magyar is openly fighting corruption and wants to return to a European path.
©Gergő Szőke via Unsplash