Raids against the head of the anti-corruption department have shaken the Hungarian government

Hungarian police searched the offices of the Integrity Authority, the government body that oversees the use of EU funds abroad.

The chief prosecutor announced that his chairman, Ferenc Biro, is suspected of corruption and abuse of power.

The police also raided Biro’s house and took documents.

He admitted he “lent his company car to his wife for shopping trips”, but denies the allegations and says he was targeted “from above” for political reasons.

This statement alone caused surprise in Hungary.

Ferenc Biro and his wife Judith are insiders in the ruling Fidesz party and have excellent relations at the highest level. His position and salary is equivalent to that of a government minister.

The integrity management was set up in early 2023 to prove to the European Commission that EU funds have been spent and audited correctly. Its leaders were appointed by the president of the republic.

The Prosecutor General’s Office also accuses him of obstructing the work of two of his vice presidents.

These accusations shock the government for three reasons.

They came just 10 days after Antal Rogan, the minister in charge of government relations and secret services in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s office, was blacklisted by the US Treasury Department as “the main architect, executor and beneficiary of this system . corruption”.

The move was heavily criticized by the government as a “personal vendetta” against outgoing US ambassador David Pressman.

The second reason is that the opposition has long accused Chief Prosecutor Peter Polt of failing to investigate corruption in the ruling Fidesz party.

A third reason is that Hungary lost €1bn (£845m) in EU funds permanently on 31 December, and billions more will be at risk if it fails to meet strict EU criteria to release the funds, which have already been suspended.

“Throughout my career, I have fought corruption and fraud, as well as ethics and integrity,” Biro wrote in his October 2022 presidential bid.

In addition to his company car, Biro rented a second luxury car, racking up HUF 14 million (€34,000; £29,000), according to a statement released by the chief prosecutor.

Hungarian media claim that office funds were used to renovate his lavish home and build a fence around it several hundred meters long.

The Hungarian economy is suffering from a lack of EU funds, the Hungarian currency is losing value and annual inflation has spiked to 4.6% last month.

Government critics believe that Ferenc Biro may be right – that Viktor Orbán is trying to sacrifice one of his chess pieces to gain access to much-needed cash.

In his own statement, Biro spoke out against the investigation.

“Today they specifically attacked my person and tried to make it impossible for the integrity body to function,” he said on Thursday evening.

“Our organization has always operated and continues to operate in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards.”