After a “careful investigation” and “several contacts” with the Hungarian government, the European Commission decided in December to release part of the frozen cohesion funds. In total, this amounted to around ten billion euros, which probably convinced Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to withdraw his veto on aid money to Ukraine. At the time, the EU Parliament spoke of “kowtowing to Orbán” and heavily criticized the Commission. Now the dispute between the institutions could even end up before the European Court of Justice.
Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee has almost unanimously approved a lawsuit against Brussels. Parliament President Roberta Metsola now has until March 25 to go to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. In most cases it follows the votes of the committee.
Greens: “Extreme but necessary step”
This is an “extreme but necessary step,” said Sergey Lagodinsky, Germany’s Green MP and vice-chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee. Hungary should no longer have “means to blackmail the EU” and block important decisions, he stressed.
In January, a large majority of social democrats, liberals, greens, leftists and conservatives from Von der Leyen’s own camp spoke out in favor of the preparation of the trial. Parliament President Metsola also belongs to the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) around the CDU and CSU.
Hungary’s corrections ‘only exist on paper’
The EU has frozen funding for Hungary over its long-standing dispute over rule of law deficiencies. The European Commission justified the release with a judicial reform in Hungary. From Parliament’s point of view, this only addresses the grievances on paper.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
