Europe tries a new tool against corruption. It may yet soften
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskcomplaints as meddling by Brussels bureaucrats. But with billions of euros in the balance, Hungary suddenly became interested in co-operating. In August it proposed 17 reforms to comply with the conditionality mechanism. Nevertheless, in September the’s budget commissioner recommended that €7.5bn in aid be withheld until Hungary shows progress. Its €7.2bn request for covid-recovery grants has yet to be signed off.
Rule-of-law experts say the proposed reforms are full of holes. The government has set up a new body to monitorfunds, but most of its members are close to the ruling party, Fidesz. Citizens will be able to appeal if prosecutors drop a corruption case, but they rarely bring such cases in the first place. The judges with whom Fidesz has stuffed the supreme court will remain there.
Hungary’s government retorts that the European Parliament “has been taken hostage by loud and aggressive far-left activists”. Meanwhile it is blocking the’s request to borrow €18bn to help Ukraine, which all member states must approve. The Hungarians say they oppose such loans because they haven’t received any themselves: the recovery fund involves joint borrowing, but “we have not seen a single penny.
They may have to wait some time. Next week the commission is expected to tell Ecofin that Hungary has not met its terms. It will recommend freezing the €7.5bn under the conditionality mechanism, and approving the recovery funding only conditionally, with 27 milestones to meet before the cash can flow. Yet European leaders may soften these terms: they get the final vote at a summit on December 19th.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
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