Hungary’s Parliament is poised to decide on Monday whether to lift the immunity of two former ministers as part of a series of high-profile corruption investigations initiated by the country’s newly established National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. This development is a key component of Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s anti-corruption initiative, dubbed “Operation Purgatory.”
The asset recovery office, which came into existence in 2026, has the mandate to trace, safeguard, and reclaim public assets believed to have been illicitly removed from state ownership. It is empowered to probe cases involving public procurement, state subsidies, concessions, European Union funds, and state-owned enterprises, and can also represent public prosecution in relevant legal proceedings.
Among the individuals under scrutiny are former ministers Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták. Hankó is being investigated in connection with the National Cultural Fund, while Seszták is facing inquiries related to the Volánbusz company. Both have denied any wrongdoing, and no convictions have been reported in these cases thus far.
In addition to the cases involving Hankó and Seszták, Parliament will also consider immunity matters concerning Prime Minister Péter Magyar himself and Member of Parliament Mária Gurzó. These proceedings underscore the broader efforts of Magyar’s government to implement institutional and anti-corruption reforms through the new asset recovery office.
While the asset recovery office has not yet disclosed which specific cases it will prioritize, its establishment marks a significant step in Hungary’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and enhance transparency within public institutions.