MEPs Threaten Commission w/Censure Over Unfrozen Hungary Funds

MEPs from a number of political groups in the European Parliament have come to an agreement on a draft compromise resolution that would raise the prospect of a legal challenge being brought against the European Commission in relation to theunfreezing of EUR10.2bn of cohesion funding destined for Hungary. MEPs from the far-left 'The Left in the European Parliament', green/regionalist Greens-European Free Alliance, centre-left Socialists and Democrats, liberal Renew Europe, and centre-right European People's Party agreed on the draft text earlier today.

• Daniel Freund, an MEP from the German Greens posts on X: "European Parliament negotiators agree to take necessary steps for a lawsuit against the EU-Commission. We will challenge the unfreezing of 10 billion Euros of EU funds for Hungary. The December deal with Orban was dirty - not based on actual reform efforts in HU."
• The Guardian reportsthat the draft text, "recalls the possibility for the European parliament to use any legal and political measures at its disposal, if the Commission releases funding without criteria being fulfilled or if it fails to ensure the full implementation of the relevant legislation...”
• The Commission remains in a difficult position vis-a-vis Hungary. PM Viktor Orban's veto on Ukraine aid risks dealing a major blow to Kyiv's ability to continue fighting Russia's invasion, and as such the unfreezing of funds for Budapest is seen as one route to avoiding further vetoes.