Hungary's new anti-fraud chief seeks impact, dismisses concerns over powers

FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the inauguration of Mindszentyneum during the celebrations of the 66th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's new anti-fraud body has obtained broad authority to flag suspected corruption, its leader Ferenc Biro said on Wednesday, promising to use all the powers he had at his disposal to maximum effect.

The Integrity Authority, a mainstay of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's commitment to the European Union to obtain billions of euros worth of funding previously suspended over corruption concerns, expects to be fully operational by the end of March.