Political scandals unfold in Hungary as arrests, corruption allegations and resignations mount

Over the past week, a series of cases affecting public life in Hungary have come to light. Criminal investigations, corruption allegations and controversial decisions have all surfaced, in several instances involving outgoing figures linked to the former governing party.

Corruption has become a growing concern in Hungarian public discourse. According to February data from Transparency International, Hungary’s score on the Corruption Perceptions Index fell to 40 points in 2025, placing it among the lowest-ranked countries within the European Union.

Economic analyses also suggest that corruption has not only political but significant financial consequences: estimates indicate that Hungary’s economic performance could be lower by as much as HUF 6,500 billion annually due to systemic inefficiencies linked to corruption.

Some of these corruption cases have become more visible following the 2026 change of government, as several cases have progressed in the investigative phase and more details have entered the public domain.

We have gathered the key developments below.

Resignations after controversial cultural funding decisions

According to Hungarian outlet HVG, Balázs Hankó, the outgoing minister for culture, allocated around HUF 17 billion in grants through Hungary’s National Cultural Fund (NKA), a state body that distributes public funding for cultural projects. These funding decisions were reportedly made solely by the minister, without prior evaluation by professional committees or advisory boards.

Among the beneficiaries were several performers linked to the former ruling party, including Gabi Tóth, László Pityinger and Attila Pataky.

The Independent Performing Arts Association has filed a complaint against unknown perpetrators on suspicion of budget fraud causing significant financial damage and abuse of office.

Responding to the criticism, Hankó defended the decisions on the ATV program Egyenes Beszéd, stating that the grants were awarded legally through open calls. He argued that the focus should not be on who received the funding, but on the cultural content produced, adding that the goal was community-building and the creation of cultural value.

The case also triggered internal fallout. Balázs Bús, deputy chairman of the National Cultural Fund announced his resignation, followed by László Baán, who stepped down from his position on the fund’s governing board.

Baán said the committee had been “misled”, adding that crucial information had been withheld from members before key decisions were made.

Shortly afterwards, Miklós Both, director of the House of Traditions, also resigned from the NKA committee.

“In the current situation, the Committee’s trust and professional credibility were abused,” he said in an interview with Válasz Online.

Arrest of Fidesz party leader at Budapest airport

One of the most high-profile developments concerns Feriz Rádi, the head of Fidesz’s local organization in Szeged. He is under investigation on suspicion of budget fraud, and authorities had issued a warrant for his arrest.

According to RTL News, he was detained on Friday evening at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport after returning from Egypt. The arrest was later confirmed by Hungary’s tax authority.

Rádi resigned from his position following the emergence of the case, and authorities have since initiated pre-trial detention proceedings.

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Corruption allegations against Budapest prefect

In another case made public this week, the Central Investigating Prosecutor’s Office has accused Botond Sára, Budapest’s prefect (government commissioner), of corruption-related offenses.

According to authorities, searches and seizures were carried out at multiple locations, and several witnesses were questioned before formal suspicion was communicated.

Reports by 444.hu suggest the case is linked to a labour recruitment scheme involving Nepali workers. A company allegedly sought preferential status to facilitate the entry and employment of foreign workers and, in 2023, approached Sára through intermediaries. Authorities claim that the requested status was subsequently granted.

Investigators suspect that in return, Sára accepted several bottles of wine worth around HUF 70,000 , which prosecutors classify as bribery.

Five individuals have so far been questioned as suspects, while Sára remains at liberty as the investigation continues.

New complaint filed in Volvo bus corruption case

In the long-running Volvo case in Pécs, a final court ruling was issued in early April: András Csengő and another defendant were sentenced to five years in prison for fraud and money laundering.

The case concerns a 2015 bus procurement deal in which the transport company allegedly overpaid by approximately HUF 877 million through an intermediary.

Independent MP Ákos Hadházy has now filed a new complaint, arguing that court findings raise questions about the possible role of Erik Bánki in organizing the scheme. Hadházy claims that not all financial transactions were uncovered during the investigation and that witness tampering may have occurred.

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Újpest calls for review of priority development projects

Tibor Déri, deputy mayor of Újpest, has proposed that the district council call on the new government, set to take office on May 9, to review previously designated priority investment projects.

According to local reports, the proposal would cover developments such as the planned stadium on Fóti Road, as well as projects under the “Otthon Start” program, including areas around Népsziget and the Újpest Bay.

Priority status in these cases allows for accelerated permitting procedures and exemptions from certain local regulations, which district leaders say raises serious concerns about transparency and long-term impact.