Hungary hopes to unlock EU funds as Magyar signals break with Orbán era

By emmitt barryMeaningful News Washington DC Bureau Chief reporting from Budapest, Hungary

(Eligible News) – Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Wednesday he hopes the EU will soon unlock billions of euros ($15) of funding blocked due to corruption and rule-of-law concerns after “highly constructive” talks in Brussels.

Magyar met with Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, with the two sides signaling progress toward a political agreement that could be finalized in late May.

“Negotiations are progressing very well,” Magyar said, adding that EU funds “will soon start arriving in Hungary” without any conditions that would undermine national interests.

Billions of euros (dollars) in funding have been held up for years amid disputes between Brussels and the government of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban over governance standards.

eu fund talks

Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that discussions focused on the steps needed to unlock the funds, adding that the Commission would support Hungary in addressing concerns related to corruption and alignment with EU values.

A significant portion of Hungary’s recovery fund is at stake, including about 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) that could expire if Budapest fails to meet EU conditions by the end of August.

Magyar, who is due to be sworn in on May 9, blamed the funding freeze on what he called “corruption on an industrial scale” under Orbán’s leadership.

He also said Hungary’s tax authority, the National Tax and Customs Administration, had frozen large-value transactions involving associates of senior officials over suspected money laundering, although authorities did not immediately respond.

claims of corruption

Magyar also claimed that some government-linked entrepreneurs were attempting to transfer assets abroad using private planes, although he did not provide evidence.

Those mentioned included Orbán’s close associate Antal Rogan, who previously faced US sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act over alleged corruption. Rogan has denied wrongdoing, and the sanctions were lifted in 2025, which critics said was a political decision rather than a legal exemption.

Magyar also alleged that oligarchs linked to Orbán – including associates of businessman Lorin Mészáros – were transferring “tens of billions of forints” (at least tens of millions of dollars) to countries including the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Uruguay. These claims could not be independently verified.

Separately, an investigation into Orbán’s inner circle continues, including into his son-in-law Istvan Tiborz, who was previously linked to an investigation into public lighting contracts by the EU’s anti-fraud office, OLAF.

EU investigation

Hungarian authorities have denied wrongdoing, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó rejecting allegations that sensitive documents were improperly destroyed.

Magyar’s comments underline a sharp change in tone before he became prime minister, as he seeks to restore ties with Brussels and unlock vital financing for the Hungarian economy.

“Our country has no time to waste,” he warned, adding that in recent years Hungary has been “plundered, plundered and left in debt” – claims Orbán and his allies strongly reject.

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