sanction threatensThe European Commission wants to suspend 65 percent of some EU funds for Hungary. The sanction is intended to force Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to take decisive action against corruption and fraud in the country with EU funds.
It is roughly 7.5 billion euros, says European Commissioner Johannes Hahn (Budget). Hungary has until November 19 to show improvement.
It is the first time that the Commission has resorted to a new rule of law mechanism linked to the EU budget. EU Member States must approve the Commission proposal.
Since 1 January 2021, the European regulation has been in force that makes it possible to deprive Member States of European subsidies when the rule of law is threatened. Brussels has repeatedly warned that Hungary must tackle public procurement rigging, fraud and corruption. If the country does not, it risks losing European subsidies.
After a long wait, the European Commission has finally started this procedure. Also because another condition, risk to the EU’s financial interests, has been met.
freedom of the press
On Friday, the committee announced that it would come up with a new European rule to guarantee press freedom in countries such as Hungary and Poland. “In recent years we have seen various forms of pressure on the media,” said European Commissioner Věra Jourová (Justice). “We must establish clear principles: no journalist should be spied on because of his job and public media should not be used for propaganda. That is why, for the first time, we are proposing safeguards to protect press freedom and a pluralistic press.”
In July, the European Commission concluded in its annual rule of law report that fundamental rights in the Eastern European country are in bad shape. Brussels is very critical of the judiciary in Hungary, which is far from independent. Minority groups are also discriminated against and the corona recovery plan of the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban is awaiting approval to be eligible for a European subsidy of billions.
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