Prime Minister Magyar has initiated proceedings to remove Hungary’s president, a move that could redraw the country’s political lines. At the same time, he announced the creation of a new anti-corruption office, a step that might unlock billions of euros in frozen European Union funds.
The president removal bid
Magyar’s push to oust the head of state is a rare and aggressive political maneuver. Under Hungarian law, the prime minister can propose a vote of no confidence against the president, but such a move requires a two-thirds majority in parliament. Magyar’s party controls a supermajority, so the outcome is widely expected to succeed. The president’s office has not publicly responded to the development.
A new anti-graft watchdog
The planned anti-graft office is designed to meet long-standing EU demands for stronger oversight of public spending. The European Commission has withheld cohesion funds from Budapest over concerns about corruption and rule-of-law issues. Magyar’s government says the new body will have independent investigative powers and the authority to prosecute high-level graft cases. Critics within Hungary have questioned whether the office will be truly independent, pointing to the government’s track record of weakening judicial checks.
What this means for EU relations
If the anti-corruption office is created and given real teeth, Hungary could see the release of up to €12 billion in EU funds that have been frozen since 2020. That money would provide a major boost to an economy still recovering from high inflation and a weakening forint. Analysts in Budapest say the timing is no coincidence: Magyar needs the cash to fund pre-election spending ahead of local elections next spring. But Brussels has warned that past reforms have been superficial, so the office’s structure and staffing will be closely watched.
Political fallout at home
The president removal is seen as a consolidation of power. Magyar’s grip on the ruling party appeared to slip after a series of scandals, but this dual move suggests he is reasserting control. Opposition parties have condemned both actions, calling them a power grab. Protests are expected in Budapest this weekend. The government has dismissed the criticism, saying the reforms are about transparency and efficiency.
Parliament is set to vote on the president’s removal in two weeks. The anti-graft office bill will be submitted immediately after. If approved, the office could begin operations by late summer.
