Hungarian government sets up anti-corruption body under EU pressure

The government has decided to establish an anti-corruption body in Hungary. This decision serves the purpose of being granted access to the resources of the recovery fund of the EU (EUR 5.8 billion). 

The government accepted four of the European Commission’s proposals

In July, Index reported about the government’s decision to create an independent anti-corruption authority and revive the previously operating Anti-Corruption Working Group. They accepted the European Commission’s proposals in four important areas.

These are the following:

• The proportion of single-bidder public procurement should be reduced to below 15 percent in national public procurement.
• Prior to government-initiated legislation, provide time for social consultation and reduce the proportion of special, extraordinary fast legislative options.
• In criminal corruption cases, there should be room for a judicial remedy against the decision of the prosecutor’s office.
  Hungary must devote a significant part of the European Union’s resources to achieving the greatest possible energy independence.

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What will be the task of the newly established body?

The task of the new board will be the prevention, detection and correction of illegalities and irregularities affecting the management of European Union funds. In addition, the authority will be able to “intervene in cases where it considers that the authorities responsible have not taken the necessary steps to prevent fraud, conflict of interest, corruption and other illegalities or irregularities which could harm the sound financial management of the EU budget”. – reports bloomberg.com. The anti-corruption body will primarily cover EU public procurement procedures.

When can Hungary expect the recovery fund?

According to Index, the new body can be established before 21 November 2022. By that time, Hungary might come to an agreement with the EU regarding the recovery fund. In the decision, the government also undertook to re-establish the Anti-Corruption Working Group by 1 December 2022. It will have an equal number of delegates from the government and non-governmental participants.

The case of the recovery fund established due to the coronavirus has been dragging on for months. Members of the government hope that they can reach a compromise with the EU this year.

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Source: bloomberg.com, Index