In November 2022, the State Audit Office established the Hungarian Integrity Authority with the mission of promoting the efficient and correct use of EU funds and detecting and preventing EU funds related fraud. To learn more about the mandate, and operations of the organization, on February 15, we invited Ferenc Biró, president of the Integrity Authority to our first Policy Forum of the year.
Mr. Biró started his presentation by recognizing that the corruption in Hungary and overall, the world is a significant issue. Regarding the operations of the Authority, he said that it bears responsibility towards both to the Hungarian Parliament and European Commission. Although it has no prosecuting power, it has the power to investigate. Accordingly, the Authority’s mandate and responsibility imply the monitoring of EU-funds related transactions, the conclusion of integrity risk assessment as well as the preparation of a so-called annual integrity report. The Authority is also issuing recommendations to eradicate corruption. In this context, Mr. Biró explained that there is a strong emphasis on prevention, education of the society, and one of the main long-term goals is to create a new culture where corruption is much less present and accepted. In this respect he emphasized the importance of “leading by example”’.
On the question of how the Authority proceeds in response to a complaint or notification towards the Integrity Authority, he explained that they establish a number of facts before proceeding. They first carry out a risk assessment and determine whether there is any other body already dealing with the case and if it requires the intervention of the Authority. In case there’s a need for intervention they start investigating the case. Then, if the case requires, they are legally obliged to notify the Ministry for Regional Development, or to file the case to the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The Authority may conclude agreements with other bodies concerning communication and the exchange of information and cooperation agreements with bodies of the European Union.
Mr. Biró also said, that in its operations, the Authority follows European and UN best practices and guidelines. In addition, he highlighted the work of the Anti-corruption Task Force attached to the Integrity Authority created with the aim to enhance cooperation between state actors and the civil society. It is a consultative body with 21 members including 10 state agencies and 10 private members consisting of civil organizations, such as Transparency International, Átlátszó as well as K-Monitor, and private individuals.
At the Online Policy Forum, Mr. Biró also revealed that the authority is also working on a high level of digitalization and automation to help ensure the efficient processing of complaints as well as the overall operation of the Authority. The Authority ensures the anonymity of the whistleblowers and complainants by maintaining a reporting interface, which provides for confidential communication.