The European Union’s chief public prosecutor announced that a dedicated EPPO office could become operational in Hungary as early as next year, marking the latest step in the bloc’s effort to extend its anti‑fraud mandate to the Central European nation. The prospect arrives while Hungary has opened high‑profile corruption investigations that have already led to the detention of two ministers who served during the tenure of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
EPPO Expansion Plans
According to a report by Hungarian daily hvg.hu, the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office – currently Laura Codruța Kövesi – indicated that the agency is preparing to launch a local office in Budapest in 2025. The office would enable EPPO investigators to work directly on cases involving alleged misuse of EU funds and other crimes that affect the Union’s budget.
"The European Public Prosecutor’s Office could start operating in Hungary next year," the EU chief prosecutor said, as quoted by hvg.hu.
Established in 2020, the EPPO is a cross‑border body that prosecutes offenses such as fraud, corruption and money laundering that impact the EU’s financial interests. Its expansion into new member states requires both political agreement and practical arrangements, including staffing and legal integration with national authorities.
Corruption Crackdown Intensifies
Simultaneously, the Hungarian government has intensified its internal anti‑corruption drive. EU Today reported that two ministers from the Orbán era were detained as part of a series of high‑profile corruption cases. While the outlets did not disclose the officials’ names, the detentions signal a willingness by Hungarian prosecutors to pursue senior figures linked to past administrations.
The arrests have been framed by the government as evidence of a broader effort to clean up public administration, but they also raise questions about the political motivations behind selective prosecutions. Critics argue that the timing coincides with increasing EU scrutiny over rule‑of‑law deficiencies in Budapest.
Further, the Budapest Business Journal noted that recent talks in the Hungarian capital have advanced the country’s accession to the EPPO framework. The discussions, involving EU officials and Hungarian authorities, focused on procedural steps required for full participation, including the ratification of necessary legal amendments and the establishment of cooperation mechanisms.
Hungary’s accession to the EPPO has been a contentious issue within the EU, where several member states have expressed concern that the current Hungarian government may obstruct the agency’s work. The prospect of an EPPO office on Hungarian soil is therefore seen by Brussels as both a practical tool for safeguarding EU funds and a political litmus test for Hungary’s adherence to EU standards.
Analysts suggest that the establishment of an EPPO presence could have a two‑fold impact: it would bolster the capacity to investigate cross‑border fraud, and it could serve as a lever in ongoing negotiations over the country’s eligibility for EU cohesion funding, which is contingent on compliance with rule‑of‑law criteria.
Looking ahead, the EU chief prosecutor’s statement sets a tentative timeline for 2025, while the outcome of the ongoing corruption investigations and the finalization of accession protocols remain to be seen. The developments underscore the complex interplay between domestic politics in Hungary and the broader EU agenda of ensuring financial integrity and adherence to democratic norms.
