Bence Rétvári, Minister of State for Public Administration and Justice spoke about the details of the Government’s anti-corruption programme on Tuesday.

In his lecture, Rétvári stressed that the State does not manage its own funds but revenues collected from taxpayer citizens. It is therefore particularly important to pursue a responsible approach in the management of public funds. It is due to the lack of trust that people often pay for services to which they have already contributed in the form of the taxes they pay, the Minister of State said. The act of corruption is harmful to the whole of society. The Government therefore intends to simplify and enhance the transparency of the statutory environment as part of a deregulation programme in the first phase. Additionally, the Fundamental Law guarantees that state funds cannot be channelled to businesses with an unclear proprietary structure, Rétvári reminded his audience. In his speech, he stressed that political, social and economic corruption must be tackled collectively as each has an impact on the other.

He also made mention of the anti-corruption programme of public administration. The fundamental principles of this programme may be summed up as authenticity, a gradual approach, organisational reform and accountability for cases of corruption committed in the past. This is a new approach which also concentrates on prevention and does not merely mete out punishment subsequently. Additionally, it does not identify retaliatory measures but lays down expectations. He also said that the Government hopes to achieve that the largest possible number of local municipalities implement the measures of the programme. He made mention of campaign funding, the satisfactory settlement of the issue of gratuities and cooperation with the private sector as the pledge of successful implementation. In the course of his lecture, the Minister of State also spoke about the Occupational Code of Ethics for civil servants, which is effectively a code laying down the foundations of public service and anti-corruption practices for those working in public administration. He additionally stressed the importance of the qualitative and quantitative reinforcement of the proceeding authorities and detailed cooperation agreements between state agencies.

He also said that the Government will launch information programmes for the promotion of anti-corruption values for Hungarian businesses.

At the end of his lecture, Bence Rétvári spoke about the reinforcement of the prosecution service, the judicial “acceleration package” and the introduction of more stringent provisions concerning acts of corruption in the new Penal Code. He made mention of the new Public Procurement Act and the fact that Hungary was the first to join the International Anti-Corruption Academy as particular achievements.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)