Will the Hungarian Parliament accept a package of anti-corruption laws?

The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) will on Monday submit a package of anti-corruption laws to enforce the fulfilment of promises the government has made to the European Commission, the party’s leader said.

Ferenc Gyurcsány told a press conference streamed also online on Friday that Hungary was not getting some 8,000 billion forints (EUR 20bn) worth of funding from the EU as a result of a years-long dispute going on between the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, and the Hungarian government.

Part of this money, some 400-600 billion forints, could be lost for good within two and a half months when the deadline expires after which “it is not possible anymore to discuss under what conditions the money could arrive”, Gyurcsány said. Additionally, there is a daily fine Hungary must pay, meaning “we paid 400 million yesterday, we are paying 400 million today and will pay another 400 million tomorrow,” he said.

Ferenc Gyurcsány in the Hungarian Parliament. Photo: MTI

He said the government had earlier promised to the EC to fulfil 27 “milestones” that would solve this problem, 24 of which it failed to fulfil.

Here are the proposals

As a result, DK will submit its proposals, including the introduction of a “corruption fee” payable by the leaders and “real” owners of companies that had caused Hungary’s getting fined. Additionally, DK proposes that “the central budget cut ties with institutions and companies that directly or indirectly take taxpayers’ money to tax havens,” Gyurcsány said.

DK also proposes that regardless of whether Hungary becomes a member of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office or not, “the extent and depth of cooperation should be the same as if it was a member”.

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