"We identified issues that might be breaching [the rule of law] in Hungary and affect the EU budget," said Vera Jourova, the Vice-President for Values and Transparency.Continue reading
“If Viktor Orbán really cared about representing the interests of Hungarians, he would not be trampling on and dismantling Hungarian rule of law,” Momentum MEP Katalin Cseh said in reaction to the EU’s launch of its rule-of-law mechanism against Hungary. According to several opposition politicians, the procedure, which could deprive Hungary of significant EU funds, clearly shows that corruption is rampant in the country, but the consequences of Brussels’ decision will unfortunately be borne by the Hungarian people.
“Europe is strong, Orbán has lost!” said Democratic Coalition (DK) MEP Klára Dobrev in reaction to the EU’s launch of its rule-of-law mechanism against Hungary.
According to the EP representative, the European Union could not have sent a simpler message to Hungary: “they are ready to punish Orbán and his people if they continue to shamelessly steal from the Hungarian people and only line their own pockets with the subsidies that are due to honest Hungarians.”
On social media, MSZP MEP István Ujhelyi said that the only chance for Hungary after Brussels’ decision is to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He also recalled that Fidesz had supported the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office more than a decade ago. Furthermore, their current European program in effect would even widen the organization’s powers.
“Hungary’s interest is to access EU funds as soon as possible. It is in Hungary’s interest to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. If the government has Hungary’s interests at heart, it knows what it has to do,” Ujhelyi concluded.
Jobbik MEP Márton Gyöngyösi tersely commented on the news over social media.
“The rule of law procedure against the government has been launched. In a few months, there will be no money. So much for security,” the politician said.
Momentum MEP Katalin Cseh highlighted that what the opposition has been saying for years has been proven: “EU funds are in serious danger because of the policies of Viktor Orbán.” According to Cseh, the need for EU funds has never been greater because of the “deepening crisis of livelihoods.” But “we have never been in a weaker position to ensure that this aid actually reaches our country,” she added.
“If Viktor Orbán really cared about representing the interests of Hungarians, he would not be trampling on and dismantling Hungarian rule of law, and getting into fights with the European Union, but would do everything he could to get the EU funds,” said the Momentum politician.
Independent MP Ákos Hadházy also deemed the decision of Brussels an important step, saying that “the EU clearly no longer wants to allow Orbán to pay his people with subsidies and to thus ultimately use this money to maintain his political system.” Nevertheless, Hadházy believes the announcement is sad news, because, “we are going to bear the brunt of it, all Hungarian citizens.”
Hadházy is convinced that Fidesz will use the whole situation for its own political purposes and “continue the war with the ‘evil’ Brussels.”
The European Commission sent a formal note to the Hungarian government on the launch of a rule of law mechanism on Wednesday. The procedure allows Brussels to take financial measures if it finds that EU funds are not being used for their intended purpose, because the rule of law, or European values, are being violated. This could include recovering funds, withholding future funds, and reducing costs or payments. If the EU Commission secures enough support, Hungary could face major cuts in EU funding, although the procedure can take months before it’s complete. According to the Orbán government, the procedure is politically motivated, a “witch hunt,” and has no legal ground.
In the featured photo: DK MEP Klára Dobrev. Photo by Balázs Mohai/MTI
