Hungary: Orban threatens to stay out of European funding



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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent a letter to the German presidency of the European Union, threatening to veto the European budget following an agreement reached on Thursday (November 5) to cut European funds for member states that violate the state. of law. mandiner.hu news site.

The letter

“Although Hungary is committed to cooperation, in light of the latest developments, it cannot provide the necessary unanimity for the package (of measures) adopted in July” for the European budget 2021-2027, as well as for the draft budget letter , according to a letter sent to Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU this semester, to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, according to the Hungarian website.

When asked by the French Agency about this letter, the Hungarian government did not reply.

Money and the rule of law

The European Parliament and Germany, who negotiated on behalf of the 27, agreed on Thursday a mechanism that would deprive member states that violate the rule of law of European funds, paving the way for the unlocking of the European budget.

Under this interim agreement, the future budget will incorporate an unprecedented mechanism that will condition the return of financing to respect for the principles of the rule of law (independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press…).

The recovery plan

It was a crucial demand from MEPs, who have been harshly negotiating the budget with Member States since the July summit and the € 2774 billion budget deal out of the 27 for the 2021-2027 European budget, and the recovery plan after the Covid worth 750 billion euros.

However, according to mandiner.hu, Victor Orban estimates that “the proposed sanctions mechanism is based on vague legal definitions” that mainly create “cases of political abuse” and that “if it remains as is, the Hungarian government has no choice but discard the rest of the elements of the package of measures “.

At the end of September, Germany obtained the agreement of the majority of the member states on the compromise of the rule of law. But nine member states voted against it, including Hungary and Poland, which are targeted by Brussels for reforms accused of undermining the independence of the judiciary.

Warsaw and Budapest

Warsaw and Budapest immediately reiterated their strong opposition to the mechanism, threatening to veto the European budget.

The two countries are now refusing to give the green light to a decision that would allow the EU to borrow to finance the recovery plan, delaying the ratification process by national parliaments.

The EU budget requires the approval of the MEPs and the unanimity of the member states.

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