Hungary's tax office chief, whose US entry visa ban last year over alleged corruption soured relations between Washington and Budapest, has resigned, the country's economy ministry said Monday.
Ildiko Vida's resignation took effect on Monday, although she gave notice of quitting two months ago, the National Economy Ministry said in a statement published by Hungary's state news agency MTI.
"The government wants to establish a more client-friendly, task-oriented tax office that fits better with the new structure of the economy," the statement read.
Last November, Vida, 51, admitted she was on a blacklist of six unnamed Hungarian government officials issued by the US State Department.
Although the top US diplomat in Budapest said Washington had "credible information" about tax office corruption in Hungary, Vida fiercely denied any wrongdoing and threatened legal action.
The bans triggered street demonstrations by anti-corruption protestors however demanding her dismissal.
The row also strained relations between the US and NATO and EU member Hungary, which have worsened since Prime Minister Viktor Orban took power in 2010.
In a letter to colleagues, leaked Monday to a local news website, Vida blamed her resignation on "unacceptable" attacks on herself, her family, and the reputation of the Tax Office.
Vida also referred to a loss of trust in her by the government.
Hungary’s tax office chief, whose US entry visa ban last year over alleged corruption soured relations between Washington and Budapest, has resigned, the country’s economy ministry said Monday.
Ildiko Vida’s resignation took effect on Monday, although she gave notice of quitting two months ago, the National Economy Ministry said in a statement published by Hungary’s state news agency MTI.
“The government wants to establish a more client-friendly, task-oriented tax office that fits better with the new structure of the economy,” the statement read.
Last November, Vida, 51, admitted she was on a blacklist of six unnamed Hungarian government officials issued by the US State Department.
Although the top US diplomat in Budapest said Washington had “credible information” about tax office corruption in Hungary, Vida fiercely denied any wrongdoing and threatened legal action.
The bans triggered street demonstrations by anti-corruption protestors however demanding her dismissal.
The row also strained relations between the US and NATO and EU member Hungary, which have worsened since Prime Minister Viktor Orban took power in 2010.
In a letter to colleagues, leaked Monday to a local news website, Vida blamed her resignation on “unacceptable” attacks on herself, her family, and the reputation of the Tax Office.
Vida also referred to a loss of trust in her by the government.
