EU Lawmakers Call for Suspension of Funds to Hungary Amid Rule of Law Concerns
A group of 26 Members of the European Parliament has formally requested the European Commission to freeze all EU funding to Hungary, citing serious rule of law violations by the Hungarian government.
A coalition of 26 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has called for the immediate suspension of all European Union (EU) funding to Hungary, urging the European Commission to take action against what they describe as significant breaches of rule of law under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration.
In a letter addressed to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin and Democracy and Rule of Law Commissioner Michael McGrath, the MEPs expressed grave concerns regarding recent developments in Hungary, particularly the deterioration of democratic processes and legal standards.
The letter emphasizes the need for increased pressure on the Hungarian government to comply with EU values and laws, stating that the suspension of funding is necessary to protect the financial interests of the Union.
It points out that the Commission is currently withholding €18 billion from Hungary due to various mechanisms initiated in December 2022, largely attributed to widespread corruption and serious violations of rule of law committed by the government.
The MEPs contend that Hungary has not made substantial progress toward meeting the conditions outlined in the previous Commission decisions and has instead demonstrated alarming regressions in governance.
They highlighted four key issues of concern:
1. Direct government interference in the operations of the Integrity Authority.
2. Undermining the independence of the judiciary.
3. The banning of Pride events.
4. The approval of a law concerning 'the protection of sovereignty.'
In response, Commissioner McGrath reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to defending the fundamental values and rights of the EU, including further enforcement of the rule of law conditionality.
He indicated that discussions regarding the multiannual financial framework's approach were ongoing, including considerations on the role of conditionality and the respect for rule of law.
Furthermore, the General Affairs Council of the EU is set to hold a hearing regarding the potential suspension of Hungary's voting rights as part of ongoing proceedings initiated by the European Parliament under Article 7 of the EU treaty since 2018. This process allows the EU to suspend a member state's voting rights if it consistently breaches the Union's fundamental principles.
The status of Hungary will be reviewed during the General Affairs Council meeting scheduled for May 27, focusing on how to proceed should Hungary veto Ukraine's EU accession bid.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently announced that over one million votes were cast in favor of accelerating Ukraine's EU membership, claiming it surpassed expectations.
EU representative Kaja Kallas mentioned that Brussels has contingency plans should Hungary attempt to obstruct Ukraine's candidacy, highlighting the importance of securing broad support for the primary plan.
In a letter addressed to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin and Democracy and Rule of Law Commissioner Michael McGrath, the MEPs expressed grave concerns regarding recent developments in Hungary, particularly the deterioration of democratic processes and legal standards.
The letter emphasizes the need for increased pressure on the Hungarian government to comply with EU values and laws, stating that the suspension of funding is necessary to protect the financial interests of the Union.
It points out that the Commission is currently withholding €18 billion from Hungary due to various mechanisms initiated in December 2022, largely attributed to widespread corruption and serious violations of rule of law committed by the government.
The MEPs contend that Hungary has not made substantial progress toward meeting the conditions outlined in the previous Commission decisions and has instead demonstrated alarming regressions in governance.
They highlighted four key issues of concern:
1. Direct government interference in the operations of the Integrity Authority.
2. Undermining the independence of the judiciary.
3. The banning of Pride events.
4. The approval of a law concerning 'the protection of sovereignty.'
In response, Commissioner McGrath reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to defending the fundamental values and rights of the EU, including further enforcement of the rule of law conditionality.
He indicated that discussions regarding the multiannual financial framework's approach were ongoing, including considerations on the role of conditionality and the respect for rule of law.
Furthermore, the General Affairs Council of the EU is set to hold a hearing regarding the potential suspension of Hungary's voting rights as part of ongoing proceedings initiated by the European Parliament under Article 7 of the EU treaty since 2018. This process allows the EU to suspend a member state's voting rights if it consistently breaches the Union's fundamental principles.
The status of Hungary will be reviewed during the General Affairs Council meeting scheduled for May 27, focusing on how to proceed should Hungary veto Ukraine's EU accession bid.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently announced that over one million votes were cast in favor of accelerating Ukraine's EU membership, claiming it surpassed expectations.
EU representative Kaja Kallas mentioned that Brussels has contingency plans should Hungary attempt to obstruct Ukraine's candidacy, highlighting the importance of securing broad support for the primary plan.
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