EU Commission To Suspend Funding Over Corruption Concerns-RTRS

Reuters reporting that according to unnamed officials, the European Commission is set to recommend on Sunday 18 September the suspension of EU funding for Hungary over the current budget cycle 2021-27 over corruption concerns.

• If this proves to be the case, it would mark the most severe reprimand for the gov't of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban possible, with Budapest potentially missing out on billions of euros in structural and other funding.
• The European Parliament is set to vote tomorrow on a report arguing that Hungary should no longer be considered a full democracy due to the perceived erosion of EU rule of law standards in the country.
• The speculation comes hours after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her state of the union address, in which she states funds would be withheld from countries undermining democracy and EU values.
• A July doc from the Commission showed proposals to cut funds for Hungary from the long-term EU budget. The EU's executive body has until 21 Sep to make a decision on whether Budapest's recent assurances on its anti-corruption efforts are sufficient to avoid a withholding of funds.