The EU has suspended the payment of around 21.5 billion in so-called cohesion subsidies. The legislation, which takes effect on June 1, is part of 27 conditions Orbán’s government must meet to access those EU funds.
Subversion
For example, the European Commission requests that Budapest set up an independent anti-corruption watchdog and that the European Anti-Fraud Supervisor be given complete freedom to conduct independent investigations in Hungary. Not only has the country been under fire for years due to widespread corruption, but the Hungarian government has also undermined its own rule of law by cracking down on judges, prosecutors and independent media.
Legislation now approved by the Hungarian Parliament restores independence and expands the powers of the National Judicial Council (OBT), the self-governing body of judges. It’s also undoing a number of changes the government enacted in the mid-2010s.
For example, although the OBT receives advice on bills affecting the justice system, the Council does not have veto power. Reason enough for the Hungarian opposition to abstain from voting and to call for a further expansion of the OBT’s powers.
Four conditions
European Parliament Vice-President for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova welcomed the passage of the laws, but also said the legislative package represents only four of the European Commission’s 27 conditions. It will take several months before Hungary can access the first tranches of money. The Hungarian plans have yet to receive a positive assessment by the European Commission and acceptance by individual member states.
Thanks to the freeze of EU funds, the Hungarian economy has run into serious problems this year, forcing the Orbán government to significantly cut spending.