Hungary’s government has filed anti-corruption legislation aimed at unlocking billions of euros in EU funds that have been frozen since 2022. The move represents a sharp pivot from the country’s previous posture under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose administration saw roughly €18-19 billion in EU funding put on ice over rule-of-law concerns.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on June 5 that the bill would be submitted to parliament between June 8 and 14. If Hungary checks all the boxes, it could access up to €16.4 billion.
What’s in the bill, and what’s at stake
The proposed legislation focuses on transparency around asset declarations and introduces penalties for omissions.
The immediate prize is nearly €10 billion from the EU’s pandemic recovery fund. That money is earmarked for transport infrastructure, renewable energy, small business support, and housing projects.
