The restrictions are also contrary to fundamental European values, such as equality and solidarity.Continue reading
The European Commission decided on Monday that the Hungarian model-changing universities will still not be able to participate in the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs despite the reform package presented by the government at the beginning of December.
In a statement, the Commission chaired by Ursula von der Leyen announced that the reform presented on December “is not sufficient to address risks of conflicts of interests” in the boards of the university foundations’ public interest trusts. The commission had one month to assess the package that has now come into force, and made its decision well before the deadline, Mandiner reports.
The portal points out that
the proposal was submitted by the government after the European Commission had refused for almost a year to inform the Hungarian side whether the document would address the Commission’s objections and, if not, on which points it should be amended.
However, Mandiner has learned from senior Commission officials that they do not believe the government should have been surprised by the rejection. Although the Commission has not formally explained the decision in any way, the unnamed sources reportedly told the portal that the decision to declare the reform insufficient was already made, as it makes the positive Council decision on the re-admission of universities to the Erasmus and Horizon programs a condition for entry into effect. Furthermore, it did not concern all public interest trusts, only those active in higher education.
Mandiner‘s sources did not provide any substantive information on what objections they had to the amendment of the law on the public interest trusts, beyond the scope of the foundations covered by the reform, but only that the reforms were not sufficiently comprehensive in their scope in time.
A senior Commission official reportedly indicated, however, that at this point the Hungarian government should know exactly what it needs to do to bring foundation universities back into the Erasmus and Horizon programs.
Minister of Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó, reacting to the news, said that “instead of holding substantive negotiations with the Hungarian government on the Erasmus and Horizon programs over the past year, Brussels has been sending messages through the press.”
“Six weeks ago, parliament amended the law on public interest trusts in line with the European Commission’s written request,” he added.
What was said one time was contradicted the next time. They wanted to exclude Hungarian rectors from the boards of trustees and give international NGOs the possibility to choose the members of the board of trustees,”
pointed out the minister.
Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál also criticized the decision. “Yesterday’s decision by the European Commission to continue to prohibit the EU institutions from providing funding to public interest trusts and the entities they maintain is unacceptable, unlawful and discriminatory,” she wrote on X.
Yesterday’s decision by the @EU_Commission to continue to prohibit the EU institutions from providing funding to public interest trusts and the entities they maintain is unacceptable, unlawful and discriminatory.
As a result, the 21 Hungarian universities affected by the… pic.twitter.com/26z8hiRJ2F
— Kinga Gál (@kingagalMEP) December 17, 2024
“As a result, the 21 Hungarian universities affected by the prohibition will continue to be denied access to Erasmus+ and Horizon.
Hungarian students and researchers are being punished for political reasons, in order to blackmail the Hungarian Government.”
Gál stressed.
Reacting to the situation, EU affairs minister János Bóka said on Tuesday that “at first glance, it is clear that the requirements set by the Commission go far beyond the standards adopted by the EU Council in its decision on the matter.”
The minister, who is currently in Brussels for talks with his EU counterparts, stressed: “The Hungarian government will do its utmost to put an end to the discriminatory situation faced by Hungarian students and researchers, and we will use all political and legal means to this end, and will continue our discussions with the European Commission.”
However, this autumn, Hungary adopted an amendment with the aim of enhancing university governance transparency and independence by introducing key changes: trusteeships are capped at six years, high-ranking government officials are barred from serving on boards during their term, a one-year cooling-off period applies for former officials, and the State Audit Office will oversee conflict-of-interest compliance.
Via MTI, Mandiner; Featured image: Facebook/Óbudai Egyetem