A Hungarian government official has accused the European Union of resorting to “financial coercion” against Hungary, by holding back billions in euros based on worries regarding diminishing democratic freedoms and rule of law in the nation. Earlier this month, Hungary assumed the rotating leadership of the EU Council for a six-month term, a position that exerts significant sway over Brussels’ policy direction. Hungary’s contentious right-wing leader, Viktor Orban, is anticipated to exploit this tenure for political objectives, stated Zoltan Kovacs, the Hungarian minister responsible for global communication.
EU representatives and diplomats are expressing apprehensions that with Hungary holding the Council’s reigns, the long-standing efforts of Ukraine to secure EU membership might stagnate until year-end, especially after formal negotiations for accession were initiated only last month.
In a press briefing in the Hungarian capital, Kovacs expressed that the country’s focus during their presidency term would be on enhancing the EU’s economic competitiveness and mitigating the influx of migrants which he depicted as an “existential challenge” confronting the Union. Boundaries of the EU must be guarded, he emphasised.
According to Janos Boka, Hungarian minister for EU affairs, many EU members are advocating “innovative” approaches to manage migration, such as establishing agreements with non-European nations to limit the number of asylum seekers traversing the Mediterranean Sea. Over the forthcoming six months, Hungary could act as a “catalyst” in this endeavour, Boka added.
Hungary endorses a transformative EU vision wherein the member nations wield the primary influence and the European Commission doesn’t operate as a “political entity”, Boka noted.
In recent times, Hungary has emerged as a deterrent in EU settings, utilising its veto power to block the allocation of €6.6 billion intended to assist Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Kovacs warned not to anticipate any alterations in Hungary’s stance due to its presidency. The veto represents a simple fact: absence of consensus, he explained and indicated they could not circumvent this reality.
In an independent affair, ongoing discussions persist between Europe’s grand alliance, the EU, and Hungary concerning approximately €20 billion that currently remains held back. This arises from apprehensions regarding a perceived decline in legal governance. EU’s unwavering decision to suspend financial support to Hungary equates to “coercion,” as per Mr Kovacs’s viewpoint, delivered in retaliation to Hungary’s established stances on subjects spanning migration along with LGBT+ rights.