Hungary’s Parliament is set to deliberate on Monday whether to remove the legal immunity of two former ministers as part of an ongoing anti-corruption initiative. This move comes as the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, established in 2026, embarks on several high-profile investigations under the government’s anti-corruption strategy, known as “Operation Purgatory.”
Prime Minister Péter Magyar has described these developments as a significant step in his administration’s commitment to combating corruption. The asset recovery office is tasked with tracing, securing, and reclaiming public assets suspected of being illicitly taken from state ownership. It operates with a broad mandate, covering cases related to public procurement, state subsidies, concessions, European Union funds, and state-owned enterprises.
The former ministers in question, Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták, are implicated in separate investigations. Hankó is under scrutiny for matters related to the National Cultural Fund, whereas Seszták faces allegations concerning the transportation company Volánbusz. Both have denied any wrongdoing, and no convictions have been reported in these cases.
In addition to Hankó and Seszták, Parliament will also address immunity cases involving Prime Minister Magyar himself and Member of Parliament Mária Gurzó. The asset recovery office has yet to specify which cases it will prioritize for formal investigation.
Prime Minister Magyar has previously highlighted the establishment of the asset recovery office as a key element of his broader agenda for institutional reform and the fight against corruption. As these proceedings unfold, the outcomes may influence Hungary’s ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and transparency within its government operations.