©Mihály Köles
Hungary is joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the European institution that investigates and prosecutes fraud involving EU funds. The European Commission gave the green light for the accession on Friday, allowing European prosecutors to investigate potential irregularities in Hungary starting in 2021.
For Prime Minister Peter Magyar, the move is a key part of his campaign against corruption. His government officially requested membership in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in May, shortly after Magyar had promised to put an end to the long-criticized handling of public funds under his predecessor, Viktor Orban. According to Magyar, corruption in Hungary is not only a financial problem but also a threat to democracy.
The European Commission also views the decision as a strong signal. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the accession “a welcome step in the fight against fraud and corruption” and said that the Hungarian people are now better protected when European funds are used. At the same time, much work remains to be done. After all, Hungary has yet to nominate candidates for the delegated prosecutors who will work locally with the EPPO. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is based in Luxembourg and has been in existence since 2021. It investigates crimes that harm the EU budget, such as fraud, corruption, and cross-border tax avoidance schemes. It is headed by Romanian Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi, who works with prosecutors from the participating member states. With Hungary’s inclusion, the number of participating countries continues to grow, bringing the Office’s coverage to nearly all EU Member States.
The timing of Hungary’s accession is politically sensitive. Brussels is still withholding billions of euros from Hungary due to concerns about corruption and rule-of-law issues, but sees greater willingness to reform under Magyar. On the same day, the Council of the EU also approved Hungary’s recovery plan, a new step toward the release of EU funds. Hungary also plans to establish its own anti-corruption agency to investigate past misuse of state funds and prevent future fraud. In doing so, Budapest is seeking to regain trust both in Brussels and at home.
©Mihály Köles via Unsplash - illustrative image