New Chief Prosecutor Nominated as Corruption Probes Deepen
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Hungary's President András Baka has nominated Zoltán Szathmáry to serve as the new Chief Prosecutor, a key appointment within the country's justice system. This development unfolds as prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence for a relative of Fidesz politician László Tasó, who is accused of building a substantial financial empire using public funds. [cite: 3, 444.hu]
Further allegations of financial impropriety have emerged, with opposition politician Bernadett Hadházy claiming that associates of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán incurred 20 million Forints in luxury accommodation costs in Zurich from public funds. Separately, an audit has uncovered state guarantees backing significant loan defaults by companies associated with the National Cooperation System (NER), raising concerns for the Hungarian banking sector. [cite: 24.hu, 444.hu, Telex]
In other domestic news, a new policy may grant municipalities the authority to restrict the nighttime opening hours of tobacco shops, potentially impacting late-night alcohol sales. Additionally, a new minimum pension of 120,000 Forints is set to benefit individuals under the Kata tax scheme and part-time workers, while social workers have held protests. [cite: 24.hu, HVG]