Rule of Law in Hungary shows ‘radical change’ under Magyar. EU

Hungary has taken significant steps to restore the rule of law in the two months since Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office, the European Commission said in a report presented on Friday.

The new government has launched “intense reform efforts”, with several legislative changes already advanced, according to the report, which describes the progress made as “impressive” given the short time since the change of government.

“You have a very radical change compared with last year’s report. Things have moved very, very quickly in the right direction,” a senior EU official told Euronews.

A key development was Hungary’s recent decision to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which investigates and prosecutes financial crimes affecting the EU budget across member states.

The report also highlights progress in several areas, including anti-corruption measures, asset declarations and the work of the Integrity Authority.

Magyar has also dismantled the “Sovereignty Protection Office”, a body established under his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, which could access citizens’ personal data to investigate and sanction alleged foreign agents. The office had been targeted by an EU infringement procedure.

“We see some very positive trends [...] in the early weeks of the new government’s mandate, a lot has already been done,” EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said during a press conference presenting the report.