Searches at Fidesz: Prosecutors investigate Hungary's former governing party

Political background: Fidesz's election defeat

The searches come against the backdrop of Hungary's political shift following the parliamentary election of 12 April. Pro-European Péter Magyar and his right-conservative Tisza party won a two-thirds majority in parliament. For Fidesz, the result represented a heavy defeat, after the party had governed the country continuously under Viktor Orbán since 2010.

In his inaugural speech as the new prime minister, Magyar sharply attacked the corruption of the Orbán system. Magyar said the Orbán system had, over two decades, taken from Hungarians "roads, hospitals, schools". He announced the creation of an independent authority tasked with uncovering the "abuses committed" during the 16 consecutive years under Orbán and recovering the embezzled funds.

Magyar's declaration of war on corruption

The ongoing investigations concern specifically the National Cultural Fund. As the prosecution announced, the investigation is being conducted in the Bács-Kiskun administrative district in southern Hungary. Details regarding the scope of the search or any individuals potentially affected were not initially made public.

The searches mark a further step in the new Hungarian government's actions against the former governing party. During the 16 years under Orbán, Fidesz had dominated Hungarian politics; numerous institutions, media outlets and foundations were close to the party or controlled by it.

Reactions and outlook

Fidesz's reaction to the searches was sharp. The party spoke of "tyranny" and compared the measure to an escalation of state interference. Observers see the searches as a signal from the new political leadership that it intends to also push forward legally the announced reckoning with past years of government.

The independent authority Magyar has announced is, in his words, to specifically track down and recover embezzled funds. With the current investigations around the National Cultural Fund, this line is taking on initial concrete judicial contours, even though it remains open what further proceedings will follow.