The European executive finally chose firmness against the nationalist leader.
Despite the "blackmail" of which the latter is accused, Budapest blocking several European files (joint aid plan of 18 billion euros for Ukraine, minimum tax on the profits of multinationals).
Hungary - which denies any link between these blockades and the question of European funds - is also opposed to new sanctions against Russia with which it maintains ties, and remains the only NATO country with Turkey to not having ratified the accession to this alliance of Sweden and Finland.
Under pressure from the European Parliament, the European Commission will propose to the Member States, who have until December 19 to decide, to suspend 7.5 billion in cohesion funds which were to be paid to Hungary as part of the 2021 budget. -2027 of the EU, we learned from European sources.
A procedure intended to protect the European budget from breaches of the rule of law was launched against this country in April, a first for the EU, due in particular to "systematic irregularities in the awarding of public contracts", "deficiencies" in prosecution and the fight against corruption.
European flags in front of the European Commission building on June 16, 2022 in Brussels Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD AFP / Archives
The prospect of being deprived of funds has prompted Hungary to take 17 steps to address Brussels' concerns, including the establishment of an "independent authority" to better control the use of EU funds, suspected to enrich relatives of Viktor Orban.
But the Commission considers that the reforms have not been carried out satisfactorily by the November 19 deadline.
The European executive had set this deadline in September to offer Hungary a chance to escape the freezing of 7.5 billion euros (around 20% of the European funds that it must receive over 2021-2027).
Ball in the Member States' court
The European executive has also decided to validate Hungary's post-Covid recovery plan (5.8 billion euros) but by attaching 27 conditions, which include the 17 anti-corruption measures, as well as reforms to improve the independence of the judiciary.
No payments will take place until these conditions are met.
The Commission, which until recently seemed to favor a conciliatory approach towards Hungary by emphasizing the progress made by the latter, has finally hardened its position.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, June 23, 2022 in Brussels Ludovic MARIN AFP / Archives
According to several European sources, the influence of MEPs, meeting in plenary session last week and largely supporters of toughness against Orban, was decisive.
The possibility of a motion of censure by the Commission in the event of unfreezing of funds has even been mentioned, in particular by the Renew Europe group (centrists).
Hungarian negotiator Tibor Navracsics on Tuesday denounced this "enormous political pressure" from the European Parliament.
A year and a half before the European elections, many MEPs are anxious to campaign for the defense of the rule of law in the face of anti-democratic excesses in the EU.
It remains to be seen whether this hard line will be followed by the Member States, which must take their decision by qualified majority (15 countries out of 27, representing at least 65% of the total EU population).
A meeting of economy and finance ministers is scheduled for 6 December.
If the Scandinavian countries and Benelux are traditionally finicky on issues of the rule of law and the fight against corruption, many countries in eastern and southern Europe could be more reluctant to freeze funds.
Hungary, in the grip of galloping inflation and a currency (the forint) in free fall, has a crying need for this money.
His government will probably use all possible remedies against this measure, in particular before the EU courts.
He could also ask that the question be decided at the next European Council, scheduled for December 15-16.
© 2022 AFP