Hungary's Parliament Approves Anti-Corruption Law to Unlock EU Funds

Hungary's parliament has passed anti-corruption measures, a key step toward unlocking billions in frozen EU funds. Lawmakers approved the legislation with 142 votes in favor and 39 against, with three abstentions.

The new laws empower the national anti-corruption authority and enable the state to reclaim assets valued at an estimated 8.5 billion euros. These assets were previously transferred to public benefit foundations under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The anti-corruption measures are a central component of a reform package introduced by the new Hungarian government led by Péter Magyar. The reforms are intended to pave the way for the release of approximately 16 billion euros in EU funding that has been frozen. Regaining access to these funds and improving relations with Brussels were among Magyar's electoral promises.