Key facts
- Hungary has been approved to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
- The EPPO investigates fraud and corruption involving EU funds.
- Investigations can cover alleged crimes dating back to June 2021.
- This move could allow probes into corruption allegations against Viktor Orbán's government.
- Hungary's previous government had rejected joining the EPPO.
Hungary has officially been approved by the European Commission to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), the EU's investigative body tasked with combating fraud and corruption related to European funds. This decision allows the EPPO to investigate alleged EU fund misuse dating back to June 2021, potentially opening the door to probes into corruption allegations that occurred during Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure as Prime Minister. Péter Magyar, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, recently won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, ending Orbán's long rule.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move, stating it was a positive step for Hungary in ensuring EU funds are used in the public interest. Hungary will become the EPPO's 25th member later this year, with a prosecutor to be appointed in the country. Previously, Orbán's government had opposed joining the EPPO, arguing it would infringe on national sovereignty. The EU had previously accused Orbán's administration of posing a systemic risk of corruption, leading to the suspension of a significant portion of EU funds allocated to Hungary. Denmark and Ireland are the only EU members not part of the EPPO due to opt-outs.