The designated European Prosecutor, Andrés Ritter, has issued a stark warning to Hungary’s incoming government, urging quick action regarding the investigation of potential corruption stemming from the Orbán era. Speaking to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Monday edition), Ritter stressed that securing evidence and criminally acquired assets must happen immediately, warning that the opportunity will be lost if sufficient groundwork is not laid now.
The context for this scrutiny involves the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), to which Péter Magyar, the prospective Hungarian Prime Minister, announced he would join. The EPPO investigates crimes involving the EU budget, including fraud related to subsidies and customs, tax evasion, and corruption. In Hungary, the focus is particularly on the suspicion that Orbán’s family and close associates systematically funneled away EU funding-allegedly through state agricultural land, construction companies, and the manipulation of public tender budgets.
Ritter noted that past experiences generate a profound suspicion that mismanagement led directly to the enrichment of high-ranking officials and their families. To effectively pursue these cases, he stated that it is crucial for the EU investigators’ jurisdiction to be retroactive, specifically dating back to June 1, 2021, the date the newly established EPPO became fully operational. Furthermore, he emphasized that genuine cooperation from Hungarian authorities is necessary.
According to Ritter, building a powerful investigative unit in Hungary will serve as a significant test of credibility for both the new Hungarian leadership and the European Union as a whole. During the interview, he also highlighted structural problems within the EPPO itself, noting that the agency has suffered from insufficient initial funding and inadequate equipment. To facilitate Hungary’s seamless integration into these investigations, Ritter suggested establishing a specialized task force involving both Magyar and the EPPO.
