A very very important investigation by the European Court of Auditors. It has been really absurd that the Commission hasn't triggered neither the rule of law conditionality nor has blocked recovery funds for Bulgaria and Romania. It is applying the rule of law framework only selectively, it seems. Looking forward to see the outcome of the investigation

#RuleOfLaw #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection #CVM

https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156630

Poland is doing what Hungary has been doing - just windowdressing in the hope of getting EU money. No authoritarian regime is willing to curtail their powers on their own. And since there are elections this year in Poland, the Commission must be very careful not to repeat the grave mistake it made with Orban

#RuleOfLaw #RuleOfLawConditionality #Poland #Hungary #EUbudgetProtection

https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156619

Earlier, Politico scooped that the Commission is likely to update its proposal to the Council by reducing the amount of EU funds to be frozen. However, Markus Becker reports that the Commission is to hold its ground. If confirmed, the plot thickens

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

https://twitter.com/MarkusBecker/status/1601199084433448960?s=20&t=sMh525Tb-qs4Ob3JayfB0A

Another excellent and chilling analysis of the real situation with the suspension of EU funding for Orban's autocracy and possible legal consequences by @kimlanelaw, @rdanielkelemen and @jmorijn. Shows what is really at stake and how the Commission and the Council have turned into facilitators

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

https://verfassungsblog.de/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-2/

This view doesn't sound much more different than the ridiculous claim that Russia does, indeed, need security guarantees. The famous EU motor, France and Germany, are led by weak and shortsighted leaders, not having the EU interests at heart

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection #France #Germany

Simultaneously, the non-paper admits problems in the cooperation with Poland

#EPPO #Poland #EUbudgetProtection

While the debate about whether Hungary has to join the EPPO, in a non-paper, the Commission and EPPO report that the EPPO cooperates smoothly with Hungary. In addition, the EPPO concluded a working arrangement with HU Prosecutor General. This is, of course, not the same as joining the EPPO but is an interesting development

#EPPO #Hungary #FightingCorruption #EUbudgetProtection

Reynders outlined the importance of Hungary ensuring that courts are free to refer preliminary ruling questions to the CJEU; also to ensure legal certainty by ending the practice of challenging final decisions of ordinary courts to the Constitutional Court. It seems these are among the 'essential' milestones

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

Commissioner Didier Reynders clarified that the milestones are binding and time-bound. No partial payments for partial fulfillment

#hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

Makes one wonder if money will be disbursed if the non-essential milestones are not met?

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

This says all about the level of mutual trust with Hungary. Makes one wonder what happens with the legislative process when there is no more RRF or another incentive?

#Hungary #EUbudgetProtection #RuleOfLawConditionality

I have a problem with such framing (ever since the Brexit speak, actually). The Commission is a Guardian of the Treaties and it's its duty to enforce the law. This is a victory for the rule of law not for some mythical bureaucrats. Such framing has a very intergovernmentalist tone, which doesn't seem to reflect the legal & democratic reality of checks & balances in the EU

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #RRF #EU #EUbudgetProtection

A very timely piece, by @kimlanelaw and @jmorijn, clarifying the situation regarding what funds are proposed to be blocked for #Hungary, under what regulations, and where do the negotiations stand at the moment. Their very illuminating analysis also shows what are the possible outcomes

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

https://verfassungsblog.de/are-hungarys-eu-funds-being-cut-or-not/

There seems to be variations in reporting on the rule of law conditionality for Hungary. While Politico continuously reports this is a done deal and the Commission is set to release EU funds, EUobserver reports that, to the contrary, the Commission is set to pass the ball to the Council without presenting a final decision

#Hungary #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection

https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156434

#Italy is to just listen and later decide on how to act regarding Hungary's Article 7(2) TEU. The Czech Presidency said the debate on the issue will be the longest at today's meeting

#Hungary #Article7TEU #EUbudgetProtection

The assessment of the European Parliament's fact-finding mission in #Hungary differs significantly from the Commission's. Out of 17 measures under the conditionality mechanism, the EP's mission found that only 3 have been implemented and only 2 of them are adequate. The MEPs emphasised the need the Commission to freeze EU funds for Hungary
#RuleOfLaw #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection
https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-233313

On the one hand, it's good news that German coalition parties are united in demanding stricter stance toward #Hungary in view of the upcoming vote in the Council. But, on the other hand, this also further confirms the lack of trust that some MS have that the Commission will do its job properly
#RuleOfLawConditionality #corruption #EUbudgetProtection #Germany
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-lawmakers-push-hard-line-hungary-rule-of-law/

The fact that the Commission hasn't consulted with Hungarian NGOs, especially those working in the area of fight against corruption, is particularly concerning. It's been a long-standing practice in preparing enlargement reports but also #CVM reports to consult with civil society groups on the ground. This adds significant concern to VDL Commission's practices regarding safeguarding the rule of law
#Hungary #corruption #EUbudgetProtection #VDL
https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-hungary-europe-dont-fall-for-promises-eu-gets-warning-as-funding-deal-nears/?utm_source=POLITICO.EU&utm_campaign=42c4a1fcfd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_11_10_05_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_10959edeb5-42c4a1fcfd-188945205