More than 16 billion euros from Brussels are within reach, but the new Hungarian government had to meet tough conditions. On Tuesday, the deputies voted by a majority of 142 votes for the legislative package, which fundamentally changes the rules of transparency and definitively liquidates the legacy of the previous prime minister, Viktor Orbán.
On Tuesday, Hungarian parliamentarians approved a package of laws that, according to the government of new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, are necessary to ensure renewed access to European Union funds. Among other things, the powers of the anti-corruption Office for Integrity will be strengthened, KEKVA public interest foundations will be abolished and the rules for politicians’ asset declarations will be tightened. TASR informs about it with reference to the AFP agency.
- The Hungarian Parliament approved a package of laws to restore access to European funds.
- The laws strengthen the powers of the anti-corruption Office for Integrity.
- The rules for politicians’ asset declarations will be tightened.
- KEKVA public interest foundations associated with the previous government regime will be abolished.
- The European Union promised to release more than 16 billion euros to Hungary.
- Unfrozen European funds are supposed to help revive the declining Hungarian economy.
Green for the billion package
The European Union froze the supply of European funds to Hungary during the government of the previous Prime Minister Viktor Orbán due to declared concerns about compliance with the principles of the rule of law. At the end of last month, the Union promised the new Prime Minister Magyar that he would release more than 16 billion euros to Hungary if he implemented the necessary reforms.
Magyar’s Tisza party has more than two-thirds of the seats in parliament after the April elections, which allows it to independently change key laws or amend the constitution.
142 deputies voted for the new anti-corruption package, while 39 were against and three abstained.
A lifeline for the Hungarian economy
The law also sets stricter requirements in the area of transparency, including in public procurement, which the Office for Integrity will be able to stop at any time in case of suspicion of corruption or conflict of interests.
According to AFP, unfrozen European funds could help Magyar’s government revive the country’s declining economy. EU officials announced that if Hungary completes all steps on time, it can expect the first money this year.
