The European Commission wants to suspend 65 percent of some EU funds for Hungary. The sanction is intended to force Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to take decisive action against corruption and fraud in the country with EU funds. It is roughly 7.5 billion euros, says European Commissioner Johannes Hahn (Budget).
It is the first time that the Commission has resorted to a new rule of law mechanism linked to the EU budget. EU Member States must approve the Commission proposal.
Hahn proposes to give Hungary three months to comply with 17 legal measures that the Commission is proposing to Budapest in order to have a chance at the billions. These include setting up an anti-corruption unit and an independent integrity body, stricter legislation on the criminalization of corruption and fraud. There should also be regulations on the disclosure of the Hungarian companies, organizations and individuals who receive EU subsidies.
The Commission is confident that the Hungarian government will step in, said Hahn. The executive board of the EU has seen more willingness from the Hungarians in recent months, although for the time being it remains with promises about proposed measures. “They have to deliver now,” emphasizes the Austrian.
Also read: European Parliament no longer considers Hungary a democracy
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