Hungary: the "blackmail" of Viktor Orban, ready to do anything to avoid the freezing of European funds

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at a round table during an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, October 22, 2021. AP - John Thys

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1 min

Prime Minister Viktor Orban is engaged in a race against time to escape the freezing of European funds intended for his country.

Funds suspended since last April by the European Commission, due to the Hungarian government's failure to respect the rule of law.

The Commission is expected to assess Hungary's progress on Tuesday. 

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With our correspondent in Budapest

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Much is at stake for Hungary, which is receiving nearly €13 billion - €7.5 billion in EU funds and €5.8 billion in post-pandemic recovery - from the European Commission. 

Not to miss out on this jackpot, Hungary has embarked on a veritable marathon to carry out the reforms demanded by Brussels.

She created

to monitor how EU money is spent.

This body will have to detect fraud and remedy corruption. 

In addition, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party amended 17 laws to ensure greater transparency in the awarding of public contracts.

Markets which, until now, were mainly won by the entourage of Viktor Orban. 

A priori, these measures seem to satisfy the Commission, but not the European Parliament, which considers them insufficient.

On 6th December the finance ministers of the European Union must decide whether or not to release the funds intended for Hungary, ie 7.5 billion euros.

To be sure of obtaining them, the Hungarian Prime Minister is putting pressure on Brussels: if he does not receive this money, Viktor Orban will veto the European aid project for Ukraine.

Blackmail, denounces the European budget commissioner.

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• Hungary

• European Union

• Victor Orban

• Corruption