Leaked audio captures Orbán defending 16-year rule as anti-graft probes begin

September 18, 2026 at 04:16 PM2 min

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A leaked recording reveals Viktor Orbán defending his 16-year rule at the annual Kötcse picnic, blaming Fidesz's 2026 defeat on external pressures rather than rejection of his politics. Hungary's new anti-corruption office, led by Anna Unger, has begun operations and will initially target firms deriving at least 70% of revenue from public contracts. Orbán has warned agency staff of future consequences if Fidesz returns to power.

Key Facts

The leaked audio was published by far-right outlet Vadhajtások and recorded at the annual Kötcse picnic, a traditional season-opener for the Hungarian right.
Orbán described the 2026 defeat as a 'political puzzle' and cited stagnant growth, 'blackmail from Brussels', and alleged interference by German, French and British intelligence services.
Anna Unger, president of the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH), said around a dozen prosecutors and investigators have already joined the office.
Unger has asked the tax authority for a list of firms deriving at least 70% of their annual net revenue from public contracts.
Orbán has likened the agency to Hungary's communist-era secret police and said Fidesz would publish the names of staff and monitor the cases in which they participated.

Orbán's Defiant Address

In the leaked recording, Orbán blamed Fidesz's defeat on a hostile geopolitical and economic environment rather than a rejection of his rule and politics. He reminded supporters that Fidesz had previously won despite years of corruption allegations and attacks on his leadership. Orbán described the 2026 defeat as a 'political puzzle' his government failed to solve, citing stagnant growth, 'blackmail from Brussels', other external liberal networks and alleged interference by German, French and British intelligence services. He portrayed the defeat as a strategic failure rather than a broader rejection of his rule, while maintaining that his 16 years in power were 'good overall'. Orbán also thanked his former campaign chief Balázs Orbán for trying to navigate what he described as the external pressures facing Fidesz.

Anti-Corruption Office Launch

Anna Unger, recently elected president of the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH), began her mandate in early September as the new body started operations. Unger has said that around a dozen prosecutors and investigators have already joined the office. The office will initially focus on companies heavily dependent on public procurement. Unger said she had asked the tax authority for a list of firms deriving at least 70% of their annual net revenue from public contracts. Unger has also vowed to protect NVVH staff from intimidation after Orbán warned that employees could face future legal and financial consequences if Fidesz returned to power.