The European Commission has formally approved Hungary's application to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), the bloc's independent body tasked with investigating fraud and corruption involving EU funds. The decision, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marks a significant shift for Budapest after years of resistance under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary's new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, who won a decisive victory in April's parliamentary elections, had made joining the EPPO a central plank of his anti-corruption platform. His government's swift move to seek membership signals a break from the previous administration's stance, which had long argued that the prosecutor's office infringed on national sovereignty.
Scope of Investigations
Once Hungary formally becomes the EPPO's 25th member later this year, the body will have the authority to investigate alleged crimes involving EU funds committed on or after 1 June 2021, the date the EPPO became operational. This means it can examine corruption allegations that date back to the final years of Orbán's 16-year rule, a period during which the European Union repeatedly accused his government of systemic misuse of European money.
"Today brings good news for Hungary," von der Leyen said in a statement. "This is a welcome step in the fight against fraud and corruption. The people of Hungary will now have a safeguard in place to ensure EU funds work in their interest." She added: "Hungary, welcome to the European Public Prosecutor's Office."
The Commission's approval clears the way for Budapest to appoint a prosecutor to work within the EPPO framework. Hungary must propose three eligible candidates for the selection process and establish the necessary institutional structures to cooperate with the office, which is based in Luxembourg.
Background of EU Fund Suspensions
Under Orbán, the EU froze billions of euros in funds earmarked for Hungary, citing concerns over the rule of law, judicial independence, and corruption. The previous government's refusal to join the EPPO was a key point of contention with Brussels. The new administration's decision to join is widely seen as an effort to restore trust and unlock those suspended funds, which are critical for Hungary's economy.
The move also aligns with broader EU efforts to strengthen oversight of how member states spend European money. The EPPO has already conducted raids and investigations in several countries, including probes into far-right groups accused of misusing EU funds.
Hungary's accession to the EPPO is expected to be completed in the coming months, pending the appointment of its prosecutor and the establishment of domestic legal frameworks. The development has been welcomed by anti-corruption watchdogs and EU officials, who see it as a concrete step toward greater accountability in a country that has long been under scrutiny for its handling of European money.
