Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Council pushes Commission to think again about Hungary funds-freeze

Council pushes Commission to think again about Hungary funds-freeze

National capitals call for new report considering measures taken by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government since November 19.
The Czech Presidency of the Council has requested a fresh assessment of the measures taken by Hungary to address anti-corruption concerns.

Last week, the European Commission proposed freezing €7.5 billion in funds meant for Hungary over dissatisfaction with steps taken in Budapest. The rest of the bloc's countries had until December 19 to approve it.

But during a meeting of finance ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, a majority of them, including those of France and Germany, asked for a new analysis. By December 9 they want a report to take into account measures taken by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government since November 19. That was the original cut-off date of the Commission's initial evaluation.

"This report should include the necessary justificatory elements for the Council to assess the proportionality principle," Czech Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura said in a letter addressed to EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn and seen by POLITICO.

By mentioning "proportionality," the Council is indicating that the freezing of a lower level of funds than the currently proposed 65 percent of its normal cohesion money might be more appropriate.

Separately, Orbán may escalate the matter to a summit of EU leaders in mid-December.

The Commission will produce an updated assessment by Friday, but this isn’t expected to change the proposal to freeze the full €7.5 billion, EU officials said. Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Tuesday said it was "difficult to provide quality assessment in few days' time, but in any case the Commission will engage constructively and we'll do what we can in this very compressed timeline."

The fund freeze is one chapter of a broader tussle between Brussels and Orbán. He's vetoing key decisions by the EU in order to get his recovery plan under the bloc's post-pandemic fund approved. He needs a majority of countries to approve that before the end of the year or risks losing 70 percent of the €5.8 billion in grants connected to it.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Hungary Ranked Among the World’s Safest Travel Destinations for 2025
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Man Convicted of Fraud After Booking Over 120 Free Flights Posing as Flight Attendant
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Hungarian Parliament Approves Citizenship Suspension Law
Prime Minister Orbán Criticizes EU's Ukraine Accession Plans
Hungarian Delicacies Introduced to Japanese Market
Hungary's Industrial Output Rises Amid Battery Sector Slump
President Sulyok Celebrates 15 Years of Hungarian Unity Efforts
Hungary's Szeleczki Shines at World Judo Championships
Visegrád Construction Trends Diverge as Hungary Lags
Hungary Hosts National Quantum Technology Workshop
Hungarian Animation Featured at Annecy Festival
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
UK and EU Reach New Economic Agreement
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
UK and EU Reach Agreement on Gibraltar's Schengen Integration
Israeli Finance Minister Imposes Banking Penalties on Palestinians
U.S. Inflation Rises to 2.4% in May Amid Trade Tensions
Trump's Policies Prompt Decline in Chinese Student Enrollment in U.S.
Global Oceans Near Record Temperatures as CO₂ Levels Climb
Trump Announces U.S.-China Trade Deal Covering Rare Earths
Smuggled U.S. Fuel Funds Mexican Cartels Amid Crackdown
Austrian School Shooting Leaves Nine Dead in Graz
Bezos's Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Protests
Europe Prepares for Historic Lunar Rover Landing
Italian Parents Seek Therapy Amid Lengthy School Holidays
British Fishing Vessel Seized by France Fined €30,000
Dutch Government Collapses Amid Migration Policy Dispute
UK Commits to 3.5% GDP Defence Spending Under NATO Pressure
Germany Moves to Expedite Migrant Deportations
US Urges UK to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Low Turnout Jeopardizes Italy's Citizenship Reform Referendum
Transatlantic Interest Rate Divergence Widens as Trump Pressures Powell
EU Lawmaker Calls for Broader Exemptions in Supply Chain Legislation
France's Defense Spending Plans Threatened by High National Debt
European Small-Cap Stocks Outperform U.S. Rivals Amid Growth Revival
Switzerland Proposes $26 Billion Capital Increase for UBS
×