On September 26, 2025, Rigó Csaba Balázs, the president of the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH), delivered a presentation at the University of Debrecen, highlighting the authority's vigorous actions against cartels.

Since 2017, the GVH has imposed fines totaling nearly 30 billion HUF in cartel cases, emphasizing its commitment to combating cartel agreements, especially in public procurement. Balázs noted that the GVH is also active in uncovering cartels related to public tenders on an international scale.

In 2024, the GVH is currently investigating 19 cartel cases involving over 1500 tenders, with more than 1000 of these involving the use of public funds. Balázs stated that the GVH's primary missions are to ensure market competition and protect consumers.

He elaborated on the authority's active role in addressing public procurement cartels, which are considered serious violations of competition law. The GVH aims to ensure the transparent use of public funds by uncovering, dismantling, and preventing such cartels.

Balázs highlighted several recent cartel cases, including those involving shipping companies on the Danube and companies engaged in road marking and signage. In 2024, the GVH imposed a fine of 1.2 billion HUF in a railway cartel case in the Debrecen area, and a recent case involving healthcare equipment manufacturers resulted in a fine of 1.4 billion HUF.

He stressed that restrictions related to public procurement and similar competitive procedures are among the most severe violations of competition law, which can sometimes lead to criminal consequences. The GVH prioritizes the dismantling of public procurement cartels to maintain fair competition.