Hungary Loses €1 Billion in EU Aid Over Rule-of-Law Failures

Hungary has forfeited the opportunity to receive €1 billion in financial aid from the European Union due to non-compliance with EU rule-of-law standards and delays in implementing necessary reforms, according to the Deutsche Welle on January 1.

The EU had set a deadline for Hungary to enact reforms by the end of 2024. These reforms were aimed at aligning the country with EU standards, including strengthening anti-corruption measures and preventing conflicts of interest.

“Hungary has failed to meet these requirements,” the Commission noted, adding that the missed deadline means Hungary is no longer eligible for the €1 billion in aid.

In total, aid amounting to €19 billion from various EU funds remains frozen for Budapest due to ongoing rule-of-law concerns.

Earlier, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, was reportedly excluded from the EU’s latest sanctions package targeting Russia, at the request of Hungary.