Hungary reverses NAV president appointment after public backlash

Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is set to undergo an open tender for its presidency after an initial appointment faced widespread public disapproval. Finance Minister Mihály Varga had announced on June 29 that Csilla Tamásné Czinege, the current deputy president of NAV, would become the new president following professional consultations.

Varga shared the news in a Facebook post, wishing the incoming president good health, perseverance, and success. Tamásné Czinege had previously served as a deputy state secretary in a Fidesz government and had been deputy president of NAV since 2022. However, the announcement did not sit well with the public.

Hundreds of critical comments flooded Varga's post, with many echoing sentiments like "We didn't vote for this." Prominent opposition figures, including Ákos Hadházy and András Horváth (known for his investigations into NAV), also voiced their dissent, drawing media attention.

In a surprising turn, Varga posted again on Thursday, stating that the government would instead launch an open tender for the NAV president position. He also announced that the legal status of the NAV head would be redefined, and the role would no longer be a state secretary position. Until the new regulations and tender process are complete, the deputy president for tax affairs, Tamásné Czinege, will lead the NAV. Her week saw a dramatic shift from deputy to prospective president and back to deputy within days.