Hungary: EU Commission wants to unblock €4.2b in funding
The Commission's president has argued that Budapest is strengthening the rule of law with Viktor Orban finally out of office. Funds had been blocked over corruption allegations under Hungary's former government.
On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed unlocking approximately €4.2 billion in frozen funds for Hungary. The funds had been blocked due to corruption allegations stemming from the country's previous government, headed by Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party. Hungarian President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Hungary had made significant progress in strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding the Union's financial interests.
A Commission press release highlighted that reforms enacted after Hungary's election of Peter Magyar as prime minister had addressed concerns in areas such as public procurement, anti-corruption measures, conflicts of interest, and prosecutorial effectiveness. Orban, a vocal critic of the EU, frequently clashed over accusations that he and his associates had undermined the rule of law and democracy, as well as engaging in self-dealing and corruption, claims he vehemently denied.
The Commission believes that Hungary's new government's efforts to rectify past issues will allow for some funds to be partially unfrozen, enabling the nation to rejoin European academic exchange and research programs. In May, the EU Commission was ready to unfreeze the entire €16.4 billion in earmarked funds if Budapest fulfilled its commitment to implement all proposed reforms. However, EU member states must now endorse the Commission's plan.
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