Hungary creates asset recovery agency to reclaim billions from Orban era

September 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM2 min

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Hungary's new government has established a National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency (NVVH) to reclaim public assets allegedly transferred to oligarchs and party allies under Viktor Orban. The agency, created by law in late July, holds both police and prosecutorial powers and will focus on the period after 2010. Prime Minister Peter Magyar's Tisza Party has estimated the misappropriated sum at around 60 billion euros, with current assessments suggesting it could reach three times that amount.

Key Facts

Hungary's parliament appointed 46-year-old political scientist Anna Unger as head of the NVVH, selecting her from about 100 candidates.
The NVVH was established by a law passed in late July, about four months after the new government took office.
The agency will focus primarily on the period of Orban governments after 2010 and will also oversee future lawful use of public resources.
Miklos Ligeti from Transparency International Hungary was appointed deputy head, and former prosecutor Katalin Tasnády will lead investigations.
Unger stated that expecting final court rulings in major corruption cases within the agency's first six-year term would be 'foolish'.

Agency Structure and Powers

The NVVH is accountable only to parliament and combines police and prosecutorial powers to conduct investigations and file charges. The agency will primarily scrutinize the period of Orban governments after 2010, while also monitoring future lawful use of public resources. Hungary's budget deficit has reached 7.5% of GDP, alongside inadequate public infrastructure and rising poverty. The government aims to meet public expectations for justice through this unprecedented structure, unseen since the 1989-1990 regime change.

Leadership Appointments

Parliament selected Anna Unger, a 46-year-old political scientist from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, as NVVH president from about 100 candidates. Unger's lack of legal background and low public profile drew criticism, while Miklos Ligeti of Transparency International Hungary was named deputy head. Former Central Investigative Chief Prosecutor's Office prosecutor Katalin Tasnády was appointed deputy head responsible for investigations. Government officials said Unger was chosen for her comprehensive political vision.

Timeline and Political Reactions

Unger's statement that expecting final court rulings in major corruption cases within the first six-year term would be 'foolish' drew criticism. Publisher Robert Puzser called the statement 'devastating' and argued that a six-year wait would be a failure for the government. Prime Minister Peter Magyar responded that the public was never promised a vote on who leads the NVVH, and that experts deemed Unger suitable. Political scientist Gabor Török said the agency serves both reckoning with the past and a strong political function, with government credibility depending on holding the old order accountable.