The European Parliament in Strasbourg has threatened to sue the European Commission in Brussels for releasing 10 billion euros from the European Union budget to Budapest despite serious concerns about the rule of law.
Green Party MEP Daniel Freund said on Twitter that parliamentary negotiators agreed to take the necessary steps for action against the European Commission. “We will file a lawsuit against the release of 10 billion euros to Hungary,” Freund announced.
Freund spoke of what he described as a “dirty deal,” as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has not implemented the necessary constitutional reforms, which is why the European Commission was not allowed to release the funding. In return, Brussels authorities say Hungary has passed several rule of law checks.
In December, Hungary threatened to veto the planned accession talks with Ukraine to the European Union. After the release of the EU funding, Orban suddenly abstained from voting, and shortly thereafter, he blocked the planned financial assistance for Ukraine.
The 50 billion euro aid to Ukraine is scheduled to be approved at a special summit on February 1. The European Commission and Germany are trying to persuade Orban to give the green light, and von der Leyen personally campaigned for the release of the controversial 10 billion euros.
Before the European elections, she could even promise Hungary more billions. In order to be re-elected as President of the Commission, the Christian Democratic Union politician also needs Orban’s vote.
Some MEPs, such as former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, have already threatened to vote to dismiss von der Leyen and her Commission in this case, but the majority in Parliament does not want to go that far. It is threatening to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice, which would also prevent the release of more EU funds.
Meanwhile, there is an attempt in the European Parliament to put pressure on the Council, as MEPs from several political groups are calling for the start of what is known as Article 7 procedure to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in the Council. All 26 other EU countries must agree to this.
Hungary will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months on July 1. It is possible that Orban will then gain more power over the European Union, as many MEPs fear.
The move by the European Parliament is a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the EU and Hungary over the rule of law. It is unclear what the outcome of the legal action will be, but it is likely to further strain relations between the two sides.
