Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar alleged on Sunday, April 26, that oligarchs close to outgoing leader Viktor Orbán are siphoning tens of billions of euros out of the country as they prepare to flee abroad.
In a video address, Magyar claimed that several influential families have already left Hungary, with others – including the family of multi-billionaire Lorinc Meszaros – reportedly preparing to depart for Dubai in the coming days.
Citing media reports, Magyar stated that some individuals have already withdrawn their children from schools and organized private security for their exit to countries without extradition treaties, such as the UAE, Uruguay, and the US.
The leader of the Tisza party called on the National Tax and Customs Administration to immediately freeze assets he claims were illegally acquired. He also urged the Prosecutor General and National Police to arrest those responsible for “damaging the Hungarian people by many trillions of forints” before his government officially takes office in May.
This political upheaval follows Orbán’s announcement on Saturday that he would resign his seat in parliament to focus on reforming the Fidesz party from the outside. Orbán’s electoral defeat has already begun to shift regional dynamics, notably unblocking the €90-billion EU loan for Ukraine, which he had vetoed for months.
As the transition of power approaches, international observers are monitoring whether Magyar’s crackdown on the previous administration’s inner circle will lead to a broader anti-corruption campaign or further political instability during the handover.