Transparency International Hungary has done a comprehensive analysis of the situation in the Hungarian state institutions’ transparency and accountability. The National Integrity System is aimed at identifying practical problems and legal shortcomings that allow corrupt cases to emerge, and formulating proposals to remedy them.

The methodology of NIS was developed by Transparency International and tested in more than 50 countries worldwide. The special feature of the methodology is that the national integrity system is not only examined from a theoretical point of view, but the same emphasis is also put on research in practice. In accordance with the principles of Transparency International, we do not nominate and examine particular cases, but focus on mapping the operation of the system.

The National Integrity System gives an extensive overview of the functions and structure of the public and privatesector and, as such, it projects an image of how well anti-corruption control systems work in certain countries. In addition, NIS identifies deficiencies and makes recommendations based on the results of the research that can later underlie legislative changes and overall measures. Among others, legislation, public administration and jurisdiction, specialized institutions taking direct actions against corruption, and basic institutions of the rule of law, such as the Ombudsman and the Audit Office can be found among the “pillars” to be tested. The NIS also examines the situation and operation of political parties, the business sector and civil organizations.

The first part of the National Integrity System focuses on public sector institutions. On 12 December, 2007, at the press conference of the study published, Péter Ákos Bod, a lecturer at Corvinus University of Budapest, Péter Hack, a lecturer at Eötvös Loránd University- Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, and Miklós Marschall, Transparency International’s regional director, presented this part.

The second part of the study analyzes corruption mechanisms in the business sector. At the press conference held on 9 July, 2008, Zoltán Nagy, president of the Hungarian Competition Authority and Jermyn Brooks, leader of Transparency International’s Business Programme, presented this part.

Between 2010 and 2012, the National Integrity Systems will be examined in 26 European countries. Within the framework of the research at the European level, this year the second Hungarian NIS research is to be completed and published, probably at the end of 2011.