EU Justice Chief Laments Democratic Standards in Hungary
HUNGARY, JUL 8 – The European Union continues to withhold €18 billion from Hungary due to no progress on key reforms addressing corruption and media independence, the Commission said.
- On Tuesday, EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath unveiled the bloc's annual Rule of Law Report in Strasbourg, highlighting Hungary's ongoing democratic backsliding.
- The report follows a 2022 European Commission decision to block approximately 18 billion euros in funds over concerns about Hungary's rule of law and governance issues.
- The report details persistent issues in Hungary, including secret surveillance, media pluralism challenges, misuse of emergency powers, and pressure on judges and civil society.
- McGrath said, "I wish it were otherwise," adding Hungary made virtually no progress on seven of eight recommendations, with a 200 million euro fine plus one million daily penalty imposed.
- This impasse solidifies tensions between Brussels and the nationalist Hungarian government, which Prime Minister Orbán accuses of "financial blackmail," while EU funds remain frozen.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Hungary has made "no progress" in the area of transparency of justice, media independence and the protection of civil society. The observation is made by the European Commission on Wednesday 9 July, which asks Budapest to respect the principles of the rule of law. The government of Viktor Orban was challenged in the street by a monster demonstration at the end of June on the occasion of the march of pride held in Budapest despite the ban of the …
The European Commission stated, March, that Hungary has not made 'no progress' with regard to a series of applications aimed at combating corruption, strengthening civil society and ensuring mass media independence, reports AFP.
Presenting the annual report on the rule of law in the EU, the Justice Commissioner said that Hungary had made virtually no progress or response to the country’s democratic backsliding over the past year. Among other shortcomings, the report highlighted concerns about party funding, surveillance, media pluralism, the government’s excessive use of emergency powers, and pressure on judges and members of civil society. Tensions between Orbán and th…
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