MEPs Question Commission Plan to Unfreeze Billions for Hungary

The European Commission’s proposal to release a portion of the €16.4 billion currently withheld from Budapest faces mounting scrutiny. While the Commission argues that progress has been made, MEPs returning from a fact-finding mission to Hungary paint a more cautious picture. German Green MEP Daniel Freund acknowledged positive shifts but warned that releasing the funds in one go is premature, suggesting a more staged approach would better ensure accountability.

Concerns extend beyond mere budgetary oversight. French MEP Jean-Marc Germain highlighted that the economic landscape remains dominated by a small circle of figures linked to the current government. For many in Parliament, the structural risks—ranging from fragile legal implementations to a lack of genuine political pluralism—outweigh the immediate desire to restart student exchanges and financial aid. While the final decision rests with the Commission and the Council, the Parliament is positioning itself as a critical pressure point, insisting that the government prove its reforms are more than just cosmetic changes.