Attacks targeting anti-corruption chief shake Hungary’s government

“Throughout my career, I have fought against corruption and fraud, and for ethics and integrity,” wrote the Bureau in a letter of application for the post of president in October 2022.

According to a statement issued by the chief prosecutor, in addition to his official vehicle, the Bureau rented a second luxury car, receiving a bill of 14 million Hungarian forints (€34,000; £29,000).

Hungarian media reports said the office’s funds were used to renovate his luxury home, and build a fence several hundred meters around it.

Starved of EU funds, with the Hungarian currency losing value and annual inflation rising to 4.6% last month, the Hungarian economy is in trouble.

Critics of the government believe that Ferenc Biro is right – that Viktor Orban is trying to sacrifice one of his chess pieces, to access much-needed money.

The bureau has pressed back against the investigation in its own statement.

“Today they specifically attacked my person and through this they are trying to make the operation of the Integrity Authority impossible,” he said on Thursday night.

“Our organization has always operated and continues to operate to the highest ethical and legal standards.”