EU takes rule of law battle with Hungary to next level with budget proposal
According to the Commission's plan, all payments could be suspended under the new budget if it sees a rule of law backsliding. But getting the plan through will also require the approval of Hungary.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/18/eu-takes-rule-of-law-battle-with-hungary-to-next-level-with-budget-proposal
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
00:00The European Commission has introduced a new clause of conditionality in the seven years budget proposal.
00:11Member states will have to comply with EU core values in order to receive payments and to be awarded projects.
00:19The rule of law applies to all funds and it will be smart conditionality.
00:23We will ensure responsible spending and full accountability with very strong safeguards, clear conditions and the right incentives.
00:33This serves the citizens.
00:36This part could target Hungary, where the rule of law is backsliding according to the EU.
00:42So far, Brussels has frozen two-thirds of Hungary's funds and Budapest could lose even more in the new system.
00:50I think with this proposal by the Commission, we have a small step in the right direction.
00:58Things are getting better if this actually goes through, because the struggle that we are going to face now is that this proposal by the Commission,
01:06I mean, there will be amendments now by the European Parliament, there will be amendments by the national governments.
01:12At the end, this needs to be ratified both by the Parliament, but also unanimously by the member states.
01:18So, including the yes vote by Viktor Arván.
01:22Hungary rejected any links between rule of law and payments as a political blackmail.
