Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government is rapidly implementing reforms to dismantle the system of former leader Viktor Orban, focusing on fighting corruption, reforming the media, and protecting democracy to prevent a slide back into autocracy.

In his first weeks in office, Magyar lifted EU blockades imposed by Orban and initiated dialogue with Ukraine, which Orban had labeled "The Empire of Evil." Parliament approved cuts to lawmakers' and ministers' salaries and limited the prime minister's tenure to a maximum of two terms.

Magyar has now turned to the substance of Orban's regime, calling it a "mafia system" and vowing to root it out through "Operation Purgatory." Comprehensive investigations will be conducted to recover illegally obtained assets from Orban's family, friends, and oligarchs.

Parliament passed a first package of anti-corruption laws, including the abolition of public interest asset management foundations (KEKVA), which were used to shift billions in public assets into private hands. This is crucial for unlocking about €17 billion in frozen EU funds.

Other measures include reorganizing public service media and restricting political hate campaigns. The most significant law is the establishment of the Office for the Recovery and Protection of National Assets (NVVH), aimed at recovering billions stolen under Orban and bringing perpetrators to court.

Experts caution that the government must balance speed with constitutional norms. Former Fidesz member Zsuzsanna Szelenyi wrote that Magyar's government must navigate a "post-illiberal trilemma" of swiftly reversing damage, preventing populist resurgence, and strictly observing constitutional norms.

Source: www.dw.com