What Hungary is willing to offer in exchange for EU funds?
The winner of the elections in Hungary, Peter Madjar, is developing a large-scale plan to normalize relations with the European Union after 16 years of Viktor Orban’s rule.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Politico.
Also read: Madjar calls for prosecutors from Luxembourg: wants to imprison Orban and his supporters
What Madjar wants
The main priority of the new government is to unlock 18 billion euros from EU funds that were frozen due to violations of democratic principles during Orban’s time.
In addition, Madjar wants to:
- gain access to about 16 billion euros in European defense loans;
- lift the daily fine of 1 million euros that the EU imposed on Hungary for violating migration laws.
What Brussels demands
No funds will be returned without conditions. Brussels has set specific requirements.
Hungary is expected to:
- lift its veto on the EU loan for Ukraine amounting to 90 billion euros;
- support a new package of sanctions against Russia;
- stop blocking the start of official negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership.
Madjar stated that he will seek “compromises” at the EU level and wants to “simplify the decision-making process.”
He made it clear that he will not block the loan to Kyiv. He also emphasized that he has a constitutional majority of two-thirds in parliament, which allows for significant judicial reforms and the unfreezing of funds.
Regarding Moscow, Madjar indicated that he wants to maintain distance. At the same time, he stated that Hungary will continue to purchase Russian oil, although sanctions should remain in place.
Madjar is in a hurry, writes Politico. If reforms in the rule of law are not implemented by August, Hungary will lose a significant portion of EU funds.
The future new prime minister has already asked the Hungarian president to move the inauguration of parliament from May 12 to May 5 – to present the official reform package more quickly.
At the same time, Hungary remains under investigation under Article 7 of the EU treaties – this is the first step towards losing its voting rights in case of democratic violations. The next hearing to assess Budapest’s position is scheduled for the end of May.
Earlier, the future prime minister of Hungary, Peter Madjar, stated that he would not block the EU loan for Ukraine of 90 billion euros, which was frozen by his predecessor Orban.
At the same time, he ruled out Ukraine’s EU membership in the next 10 years and did not deny energy dependence on Russia, believing that Hungary would have to negotiate with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
