Hungary’s Parliament is set to deliberate on Monday regarding the potential lifting of immunity for two former ministers amidst a broader crackdown on corruption spearheaded by the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. This move signifies a key step in the Hungarian government’s anti-corruption initiative, dubbed “Operation Purgatory,” which aims to address high-profile corruption cases.
The asset recovery office, founded in 2026, has been tasked with tracing, protecting, and recovering public assets suspected of being siphoned from state ownership. It has the authority to scrutinize cases involving public procurement, state subsidies, concessions, European Union funds, and state-owned enterprises. Furthermore, the office can conduct investigations and act as a representative of public prosecution in relevant court proceedings.
Among the cases to be considered is the immunity of Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták, two ex-ministers facing allegations of misconduct. Hankó is under investigation for his ties to the National Cultural Fund, while Seszták is involved in a separate case concerning the transport company Volánbusz. Both have denied any wrongdoing, and no convictions have been reported thus far in these cases.
In addition to these cases, Hungary’s Parliament will also address separate immunity considerations involving Prime Minister Péter Magyar and MP Mária Gurzó. Prime Minister Magyar has consistently connected the new asset recovery office to his broader agenda of institutional and anti-corruption reforms.
As the office commences its operations, it has yet to disclose which cases will be prioritized for formal investigation. The proceedings on Monday are anticipated to be a pivotal moment in Hungary’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and enhance transparency within its public institutions.