Bálint Ruff addresses transition challenges and ministry investigations

Bálint Ruff, the Minister leading the Prime Minister's Office, has addressed the challenges of the current administration's first five months. In a recent interview, Ruff characterized the transition of power as having two components: a legal one and an economic one, noting that the economic task of reclaiming assets from the previous administration is significantly more difficult, comparing it to “treating cancer.”

Ruff emphasized that the government's primary goal is accountability. He highlighted the construction of the Paks safety threshold as a major achievement that has allowed the country to function and saved 100 billion forints.

Controversy has emerged regarding the methods used to achieve this accountability. Reports suggest that under Ruff's leadership, there is pressure on staff to file mass reports against the previous administration to close a perceived gap in investigations compared to other ministries. Additionally, external law firms, including AZS Partners Ügyvédi Iroda and Dr. Szabó István Ügyvédi Iroda, are reportedly conducting intensive, hours-long interrogations of civil servants who served under the previous government. Questions have been raised regarding whether these actions constitute legitimate oversight or political persecution, and whether employees' positions are contingent upon providing incriminating testimony.