The designated European Prosecutor, Andrés Ritter, has urged Hungary’s incoming government to act swiftly regarding the investigation of potential corruption stemming from the Orbán era. Speaking to “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Ritter warned that securing evidence and criminally obtained assets must be done immediately, noting that such material would be extremely difficult to obtain later.
The current focus of the matter involves allegations that Orbán’s friends and relatives systematically misappropriated EU funding, particularly through state agricultural land, construction firms, and the inflation of public tender budgets. Meanwhile, the future Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has announced his intention to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), an authority tasked with investigating crimes against the EU budget, including embezzlement, customs fraud, VAT evasion, and corruption.
Ritter stressed that decades of accumulated experience point to a strong suspicion that mismanagement not only led to financial waste but also enriched the officials and relatives associated with the government. To effectively pursue these investigations, Ritter stated that it is crucial for the EU investigators to be granted retroactive jurisdiction, specifically dating back to June 1, 2021-the time the newly established EPPO became operational. Furthermore, he emphasized the absolute necessity of genuine cooperative effort from Hungarian authorities.
According to Ritter, establishing a capable investigative unit in Hungary will be a matter of credibility for both the new Hungarian government and the EU as a whole. He also pointed out that the EPPO itself is currently hampered by inadequate funding and equipment. Considering these challenges, Ritter proposed establishing a dedicated taskforce between Péter Magyar and the EPPO to help prepare for Hungary’s formal accession, while also urging cooperation to clear the path for accountability.