Hungary launches its first combined Science and Technology ministry under Minister Zoltán Tanács

Hungary’s government has merged its fragmented research, development and technology portfolios into a single Science and Technology ministry, the first of its kind since the 1990s, with Zoltán Tanács as minister. He outlined a slate of inherited challenges, including the future of the academic network, the distribution of grant money and the review of legacy state contracts. Ongoing probes focus on high-value deals, notably highway concessions and a half-completed e-property platform, with allegations of budget fraud.

Tanács highlighted a forthcoming European satellite communications project (IRIS²) and a push to develop a domestic space industry. He also stressed the need for transparent, expert-driven grant evaluation and a shift away from politically driven decision-making.