Hungary’s Parliament is set to deliberate on Monday whether to strip immunity from two former ministers, Balázs Hankó and Miklós Seszták, as the country intensifies efforts to address high-profile corruption cases. This action coincides with the newly formed National Asset Recovery and Protection Office embarking on its mission to reclaim public assets suspected of being illicitly removed from state ownership.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar emphasized that these developments signify a new chapter in his administration’s anti-corruption initiative, dubbed “Operation Purgatory.” Established in 2026, the asset recovery office holds the mandate to investigate public procurement, state subsidies, concessions, European Union funds, and state-owned enterprises. It also possesses the authority to conduct investigations and represent public prosecution in court proceedings.
Hankó is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement with the National Cultural Fund, while Seszták faces allegations related to Volánbusz. Both politicians have denied any wrongdoing, and no convictions have been reported in these cases. The parliamentary session will also address immunity considerations concerning Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Member of Parliament Mária Gurzó.
Prime Minister Magyar has linked the asset recovery office to broader institutional and anti-corruption reforms within his government. However, the office has yet to announce which cases will be prioritized for formal investigation.