The EU Parliament announced that the measures proposed by Hungary for a better rule of law are not sufficient to address existing systematic risks. A majority of MPs had previously approved a corresponding resolution on Thursday.
“The EU must stop serving as an autocrat’s ATM,” said SPÖ-EU MP Theresa Muigg. The rule of law mechanism offers the European Commission a historic opportunity to stand up unequivocally for the values of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights and finally to put real pressure on for change.
“The EU funds may only be released when the conditions for this have been met,” demanded the MEP from the ÖVP Lukas Mandl. “Like all EU citizens, Hungarians deserve the rule of law.”
Decision next week?
A spokeswoman for the EU Commission said on Thursday that a decision might be made next week. On Wednesday, the German Press Agency in Brussels learned that experts from the EU Commission do not consider the Hungarian measures to be sufficient to end the procedure to freeze funds. It should be proposed to the EU states to withhold around 7.5 billion euros from the community budget, as originally planned.
The EU Commission proposed this in September because of corruption and other violations of the rule of law in Hungary. Budapest then agreed to take remedial action to stop the process. Among other things, the establishment of a new Office for Integrity was decided, which should uncover and prevent the misuse of EU funds.
Source: Nachrichten
