According to Bos, the Hungarians think the money is ready, «because since this weekend they have set up an anti-corruption agency. They’ve had twelve years to do it, which is a bit late. It was also decided to make the courts more independent.”
Hungarian blackmail
According to Bos, the European Commission is mainly concerned that Hungary will block some sanctions against Russia. And not only that: Hungary is also against the global minimum corporate tax and 18 billion in aid to Ukraine. “If they get that money, Hungary will tack, or so they think.” But many MEPs believe that the Commission is bowing too much to Orbán and that Hungary is getting away with what they call blackmail.
Orbán, meanwhile, desperately needs that money: there are daily protests against the deteriorating economy and for more freedoms. Inflation is now at 20%. ‘Orbán feels the hot breath on his neck,’ says Bos, who thinks he may still get tense and wonders if he will get the money given all the opposition in parliament.