The European Commission wants to suspend 65 percent of some of the EU’s funding for Hungary. The sanctions are meant to force Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to take strong action against corruption and fraud in the country with EU funds. This is roughly 7.5 billion euros, said European Commissioner Johannes Hahn (Budget).
This is the first time the Commission has used the new rule of law mechanism, which is linked to the EU budget. EU Member States must approve the Commission’s proposal.
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Three months time
Hahn proposed giving Hungary three months to comply with the 17 legal steps the Commission proposed to Budapest to have a chance at billions. These include establishing an independent anti-corruption unit and integrity body, stricter laws on criminalizing corruption and fraud. There should also be regulations on the disclosure of Hungarian companies, organizations and individuals receiving EU subsidies.
The Commission is confident that the Hungarian government will step in, Hahn said. The EU’s executive board has seen more willpower from Hungary in recent months, though for now it has stuck with its pledge of intended action. “They have to deliver now,” he stressed.
Read also | Europe wants to cut Hungary to 7.5 billion
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