Corruption-suspected state contracts uncovered in Tisza government investigation
The cabinet filed complaints in three major-value cases, including contracts involving Observer Kft. and the NMHH.
Corruption-suspected state contracts uncovered in Tisza government investigation
The Tisza government presented three large-volume state agreements at its Thursday briefing in which it found signs pointing to irregularities. The cabinet filed complaints of infidelity of office in these cases.
The first investigated case concerns the public contracts of Observer Kft. Between 2020 and 2026, the company received numerous contracts financed from public funds for media monitoring and communications activities. According to the cabinet, the fees paid were substantially higher than the market average. Other companies would have performed the same work considerably more cheaply. The price increase exceeded the rate of inflation.
The second case relates to a payment by the National Media and Telecommunications Authority. Between the end of 2021 and mid-2026, the NMHH transferred approximately 31.2 billion forints to the operator of the veglegestorles.hu portal. The financial transfers were justified as the purchase of data deletion codes. According to the government's position, however, it emerged that the codes were not used in all instances, and the actual value of the service may have been lower than the amounts paid. The NMHH budget included approximately 10 billion forints annually under the heading "other expenditure".
In the third case, state support for seven civil organisations is being investigated. These associations received a total of 1.52 billion forints in public funds over five years. According to the government, close connections can be observed among the organisations, which can be linked to a Budapest-based Fidesz politician. The suspicion is that the funds were not used for their intended purpose.
The cabinet announced that it will also apply the Arachne, a European Union risk analysis system. This tool helps to filter out situations of incompatibility and irregularities. The introduction of the system is one of the European Commission's prerequisites for access to EU funds.
The government emphasised that the Cleansing Fire operation aims to identify and recover public funds spent illegally in previous years. The recovered sums would be directed towards the development of education and healthcare.
Based on an Index article. Source: Index
Source: Index