Recently elected as Hungary’s Prime Minister, Péter Magyar prompted applause on election night at the mere mention of accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
Hungary has officially joined the EPPO, taking the membership to 25 of the EU 27 member states as participants. Ireland and Denmark remain outside the organisation, having an opt-out from the area of freedom, security, and justice (AFSJ). However, Ireland expressed its firm intention to participate in the EPPO in the near future.
Ferenc Pál Biró, who heads the Hungarian Integrity Authority formed in 2022, has already said that top politicians “can and may well be prosecuted.” He alleged efforts to bilk EU taxpayers over the course of Orbán’s 16 years in power. His team had flagged several criminal cases. Biró wants Hungary to recover the money and have it repatriated, since most has already left the country.
The EPPO is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to court crimes against the EU’s financial interests. At the request of Hungary’s new government, prosecutors are also authorized to investigate cases retroactively for the past five years.
Daniel Freund, MEP, Green Coordinator on the European Union Budgetary Control Committee:
“Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is a major step toward the rule of law in Hungary – and hopefully a step toward addressing the wrongdoings of recent years. The corrupt practices under Orbán can now soon be investigated, and those responsible can be held accountable. But this also means: EPPO will have a lot of work ahead. The prosecutor’s office must therefore begin its work in Hungary as quickly as possible and be equipped with sufficient resources and staff.”
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