The Hungarian government will not vote on the EU budget until Budapest receives its frozen EU funds, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a speech at the Bálványos Free University on Saturday.
According to Orban, the adoption of the EU’s record-breaking budget requires unanimity. “And until we get our backlog of money, there will be no new European budget. We will bring it home, and we will not make any concessions on our sovereignty,” he said.
Approximately €9.5 billion in COVID-19 recovery funding and €8.4 billion in cohesion funds make up the frozen funds by Brussels over persisting concerns about Hungary’s democratic backsliding.
Brussels and Budapest over the years have been at loggerheads on a range of issues, most recently that of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the situation has been made worse by the financial issue.
Orbán accuses the European Commission of “financial blackmail” and meddling in domestic matters due to its reasons for freezing the funds.
Hungary previously unblocked about €10.2 billion of the frozen funds following the adoption of legislation aimed at reducing political meddling in its courts and strengthening judicial independence. However, a complaint was filed by the European Parliament against the EU Commission for its controversial decision to release the €10.2 billion ahead of a crucial summit.
Some €18 billion remains frozen, with no signs or indication of progress, but in front of a large audience on Saturday, Orban vowed to get the EU funds.
Orban claims Trump helped avoid World War III
The Commission’s landmark €2 trillion long-term budget for 2028–2034 emphasises defence and economic competitiveness. For it to pass, it requires unanimous agreement among member states and must also be backed by Parliament, by a majority of its component members.
In his speech in Tusványos on Saturday, Viktor Orbán said that the election of US President Donald Trump has helped the world to avoid a third world war for the time being, but the chances of its outbreak are still increasing.
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Orbán gave a speech with a sinister tone, touching on a variety of topics that included the war in Ukraine and the Fidesz party.
The Hungarian PM blasted the EU for backing Ukraine and accused the EU leaders of dangerously waging a trade war with the Trump administration that Europe “cannot win.”
While he made strong claims, Orban received applause from the audience, with one attendee saying, “We got a very clear, very understandable vision from the Prime Minister. And we are not in an easy situation.”