Final decision: the EU unlocks billions of euros for Hungary! – UPDATED
The European Commission on Wednesday said it has decided to give its support for the adoption of Hungary’s plan for accessing EU recovery funding worth 5.8 billion euros, though the EC will continue to freeze 7.5 billion euros in cohesion funding.
Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice, told a press conference that the EC would support the adoption of Hungary’s plan if the country fulfills a set of conditions connected with the rule of law. At the same time, the EC will continue to freeze 7.5 billion euros in cohesion funding, as Hungary has not made enough progress in ensuring transparency in the use of EU funding, he said.
Suspending Hungary’s access to cohesion funding has been proposed as part of EC legislative framework designed to protect the EU budget, he added.
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UPDATE (16.24)
He said Hungary’s plan contained a broad range of reforms and investments which could help to address many economic and social challenges outlined in the EU’s country recommendations. Planned measures include supporting sustainable growth and social and regional cohesion, he said, adding that the green and digital transitions, education, social policy, the labour market, health care, the fight against corruption, the independence of the judiciary, public procurement, taxation and the pension system were the areas especially affected, and addressing them would contribute to meeting the 27 “milestones” stipulated in the EU’s recovery and resilience conditions.
Reynders added that these requirements for the protection of EU financial interests must be fulfilled before any recovery payments can be made. The commission’s evaluation of Hungary’s recovery plan is being forwarded to the European Council, which has four weeks to consider the matter, he added. Fully 70 percent of recovery subsidies granted to EU member states must be committed before Dec. 31, he noted.
Meanwhile, the commissioner said Hungary was not making adequate progress to address the EC concerns regarding the use of EU funds, and “further fundamental steps” would have to be taken to allay those concerns about corruption and public procurement arrangements. Hungary has committed to implementing 17 measures aimed at allaying these concerns. The EC is forwarding its position regarding the implementation of these measures to the Council, and a final decision will be made by 19 December, he added.
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Ministry: Employment of eight teachers terminated in 3 Budapest gymnasium schools
The employment of eight teachers in three secondary schools in Budapest will be terminated as of Dec. 1 on the ground of dereliction of duty, the interior ministry, which is in charge of public education, said on Wednesday. The teachers who took unlawful strike action and participated in a demonstration had been previously informed by their employers, the school district directorate, that they would be relieved of their positions if they unlawfully neglected their teaching duties for any reason, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry noted it had underlined its guiding principle that the interests of students were paramount. “Students attend school to study … the unlawful behaviour [of a teacher] cannot be a good example for them to follow,” the ministry said. The ministry said another 24 teachers would be informed during the day about the consequences of unlawfully neglecting their duties.
When I think about dereliction of duty, it’s not the teachers I think of.
Our Politicians talking about… Setting an example??? Implementing solid rule-of-law reforms and introducing transparency to processes would be a great place to start, instead of playing on parents and students fears and villainizing educators.
Here’s a thought – why not introduce a truly independent arbitration board (and pay living wages instead of relying on “vocation”)?
I think its time for all teachers to strike, they can’t fire everyone
Do not worry! If you need your children to get educated, just send them to any community of Hungarians OUTSIDE of Hungary where our lovely president is opening up schools and providing funding! So easy!
Dictator Victorinu saved, now he can distribute the funds to his clan of family&oligarch friends. Because we know it is in their large pockets this huge amount of money is going to disappear, and we know this is what keeps the 5XL dictator in power. Shame on the EU.
Education in Hungary is a SHAMBLES.
Orban & his Government have repeatedly BROKEN promises to Educators and the entire Education system in Hungary.
The Falsification manipulation of Truth and FACTS this Orban led Government can’t HIDE behind, through the continuous practice of mis-leading Educators / Education, Families & Students – which has created the MESS that exists today.
In power 12 years – Orban and his Government – and WHAT have they INVESTED into Education in Hungary?
The billions of forints NEEDED to bring the entire Education system in Hungary up to 21st century standards – the paying of Educators wages/salaries comparable to “other” countries – the billions of forints NEEDED – with a Government presently on the “Cusp” of a Financial & Economic collapse, the European Union matter, holding of Funds – still waiting Hungary – to AGREE membership and functionality by the Rules of Law of the European Union – what is the FUTURE of Education in Hungary?
Educators / Education must not FOLD under pressure to the dictatorial government of Hungary led by Victor Orban.
Orderly – the continuation of PROTESTS – a right under DEMOCRACY – must be CONTINUED.
Solidarity – a TOGETHERNESS in Striking should be Undertaken.
Education – opens windows of OPPORTUNITY.
Hungary – what CONFRONTS us going forward, if we decide to stay in the Vocational profession as it is being an Educator, in the Education – the diabolical present lowness of standards in Hungary – facilities & wages – what WILL attract those to become EDUCATORS?
Orderly – objections/protests BECAUSE the widening and at rapidness Europe & Globally – continue to grow in knowledge – what this Orban Government have done destructively internally and externally – our PROUD name – to Hungary and their PLANS for its FUTURE.
It would be a MOCKERY – if the European Union distributed ANY-Funding to Hungary – without Hungary – signing its LIFE way – that it WILL – by the – Rules of Laws of the European Union – conduct its MEMBERSHIP.
Variations – the slightest giving in FACT to Hungary – to RELEASE Funds – due to the history of Hungary, its ABUSE, Fraud and Misappropriation of Funding – defined in word usage and explanation as Stealing, received by this “Dictatorial” Orban led Government of Hungary – by the European Union – would be a DISGRACE and WRONGFUL.
REMEMBER: Hungary no longer recognized by the European Union as a Member Country of the European Union, that conducts it-self as a DEMOCRACY- but under a Dictatorship form of Government.
Hungary – for the FUTURE of the European Union – all that has been revealed and transpired from Hungary’s ABUSE of its Membership in the European Union – for Hungary to receive Funding and retain its Membership, for the FUTURE of the European Union – they MUST enforce that the Rule of Law – be signed off and followed to the WORD – by Hungary.
That was a great mistake to release any EU funds to the Orban government. Well known thieves and I am sure they have a plan to circumvent the rules and use the money for their own enrichment..