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.
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.
