Transparency International, a non-governmental organization that monitors corruption worldwide, has ranked Hungary and Bulgaria as the least transparent countries in the European Union. This comes after 16 years of leadership by Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during which the country's position in the organization's Corruption Perceptions Index fell from 50th to 84th. The decline has been linked to concerns about the accumulation of wealth by Orban's family and close associates, who are believed to have profited from major public contracts. The new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, has taken steps to address these issues by launching an anti-corruption initiative called the "purifying fire." This operation is part of a broader effort to clean up the political and business environment in Hungary. Alongside this, a new anti-corruption agency has been established, with the primary goal of recovering public assets that have been unlawfully taken or misused. According to estimates, corruption has cost Hungary between 8% and 10% of its gross domestic product over recent years. This represents a significant drain on the national economy and has raised concerns about the long-term stability of public institutions. While the government has taken initial steps to tackle these issues, experts suggest that bringing those responsible to justice will take considerable time and effort. The situation highlights the challenges of reforming a political system that has been in place for over a decade. While the new initiatives are seen as positive steps, their success will depend on the effectiveness of the new agency and the political will to hold individuals accountable. The process of rebuilding trust in public institutions is likely to be a long and complex one.