The EU is blocking the disbursement of about 21.5 billion of so-called cohesion subsidies, destined for the less prosperous regions of the Union, because Hungary would undermine the rule of law. As a result, he could not count on the money being spent correctly. That hurts Budapest, because Hungary’s struggling economy could use up the billions.
Budapest and Brussels have agreed, among other things, that the Hungarian Council of Justice will have more say in the matter, for example. Judges can also more easily refer cases to the European Court of Justice.
‘No doubt’
Hahn “has no doubts” about the agreements, the European budget commissioner told the Bloomberg news agency. Once the changes are introduced, he said, “the vast majority” of cohesion subsidies could be paid. That would be about 13 billion. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government will soon present the amendments to parliament. After that, the committee has yet to give official approval.
Need more
If Orbán is to unblock the rest of the frozen EU subsidies as well, his government needs to do more, notes Hahn. He also warns that Hungary is about to lose access to the Erasmus programme. This offers, for example, scholarships for students and teachers to study and work at universities in other parts of the EU.