Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced a shake-up of the top ranks of state institutions, a crackdown on corruption and plans to draft a new constitution.
During a live-streamed address to parliament in Budapest on Monday, Magyar said: "With the operation 'Cleansing Fire' we will free our country from the captivity of the political and economic mafia that has ruled for the past 16 years."
Magyar's centre-right Tisza (Respect and Freedom Party) won the April 12 parliamentary elections with a two-thirds majority, ousting long-serving prime minister Viktor Orbán and his right-wing populist Fidesz (Federation of Young Democrats) party.
Critics have alleged that Orbán placed parts of the economy in the hands of oligarchs close to him and misused both EU and national funds.
The European Union responded by withholding part of its funding for Hungary over alleged corruption in the country.
Magyar announced specific changes to the constitution and the setting up of a new anti-corruption authority. The National Agency for the Recovery and Protection of State Assets is to trace misappropriated assets and launch investigations into suspects.
In his speech, Magyar announced specific constitutional amendments as well as a legislative package to create a new anti-corruption authority.
"The best police officers, the best investigators and the best experts will work for this agency," Magyar said.
Planned removal of senior officials
Magyar's proposed constitutional amendments are designed to allow senior officials still appointed by Orbán to be removed from their posts, including President Tamás Sulyok, Constitutional Court President Péter Polt and Supreme Court head András Varga.
These figures are widely regarded by Magyar’s supporters as loyal to the former administration, which he has referred to as “Orbán’s puppets.”
He had previously set a May 30 deadline for their voluntary resignation, which was not met.
Magyar, who had pledged such measures during the election campaign, said he is now presenting the concrete legal steps required to implement them.
Sulyok is to be dismissed by a constitutional amendment based on Tisza's two-thirds majority in parliament.
Toward a new constitution
With its parliamentary majority, Tisza also has the power to amend the constitution and appoint successors following any removals from office.
Magyar said a nationwide consultation process on a new constitution would begin in September, culminating in a referendum.
Orbán pushed through his own constitution in 2012 using his two-thirds parliamentary majority, but without a referendum.
Critics argue that it consolidated institutional power and enabled a form of governance that has been described as partially authoritarian.
