Magyar Reports Orban-Era Software Deals to Police

The Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar has has sent a report to police over the suspected misuse of public funds in the procurement of educational software under Viktor Orban's previous government.

Science and Technology Minister Zoltan Tanacs said an audit of IT contracts dating back to 2019 had raised questions about spending of more than 100bn forints, equivalent to €276m ($317m).

According to the ministry, the procurement process lacked competition, resulting in monopolies, while the state purchased substandard software and schools were forced to use designated products at unreasonably high prices.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who pledged to step up the fight against corruption after his election victory, also wants to establish an independent body to investigate allegations dating back to the Orban administration.

Orban has consistently denied allegations of corruption.

(Reuters, mja)