Viktor Orbán could face another brutal attack from the EU

EU MEPs are trying to attack Viktor Orbán for blocking the EU budget review.

EU against Viktor Orbán

Manfred Weber insists that the Orbán government can only receive the billions withheld by the EU if it meets the conditions and amends the legislation. The EPP leader says Orbán must not be allowed to dictate and must not be allowed to bargain.

Weber also said that, despite the efforts of several Member States to do something about it, there is nothing to be done, and Hungary will hold the presidency of the EU in the second half of 2024. However, he adds that new rules are not usually made immediately after European Parliament elections, so Hungary will have less influence than usual.

Furthermore, the EPP President said that he is in favour of qualified majority voting rather than unanimity in the future in the field of foreign and defence policy, 24.hu reports. He believes that this change would strengthen Europe’s geopolitical role.

A brutal attack

“EU MEPs are preparing a frontal attack on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for blocking EUR 50 billion in aid to Ukraine,” hvg.hu quotes Politico’s Monday news report.

The Brussels paper mentions that MEPs will discuss with EC President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday why the Commission has cut some of the EU aid to Hungary. The main concern is that the corruption and rule of law situation in Hungary has led to fears that the Orbán cabinet is misusing the money.

Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa has initiated a petition to suspend the voting rights of the Hungarian government, which has already been signed by 120 MEPs. Many want to strip Hungary of its voting rights, but the Brussels paper notes that this is not a reality at the moment. The 26 countries would have to unanimously agree that Hungary is in serious and persistent breach of EU core values.

Instead of taking away voting rights, a compromise solution is more likely. But many believe that the EU is only solving problems in the short term, which could cause even more serious problems in the long term. “They’re not thinking strategically, they’re just putting out the fire,” the paper quotes one critical voice as saying.

Read also:

If you would like to support the work of the Daily News Hungary staff and independent journalism,
please make a donation here

Hot news

3 Comments

"His own Worst Enemy." says:

18/01/2024 at 12:32

Deservingly.
Victor Orban has FAILED in that he has never practiced words of St. Augustine.
They are:
“The Truth is like a Lion; you don’t have to Defend it.
Let it Loose; it will Defend it-self.”
Victor Orban – his OWN worst Enemy.
Larry says:

18/01/2024 at 14:58

Hungarians have brought this upon themselves by electing this corrupt government and will continue to pay the price for it but they can all take comfort in the nationalistic fervour that Orban and his cronies bring. Unfortunately nationalism doesn’t put food on the table and is used by Fidesz to distract and deceive you.
Norbert says:

19/01/2024 at 13:29

It is not an attack. We signed up for the EU, relinquishing part of our sovereignty and subscribing to rules, regulations, criteria and benchmarks.

We are being held to account by what appears to be at least 90 percent of the Members. Our Politicians are not used to accountability – that is the bigger issue (everyone else is wrong, it is the circumstances, Hungary is very special, other excuses).

We are undeniably a “Taker”. A self-righteous, entitled, ungrateful beneficiary:

https://www.statista.com/chart/18794/net-contributors-to-eu-budget/

Send us the money, stuff your values!