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
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
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
“EU sources: Commission likely to announce at ~16:00 that #RuleOfLaw reforms in #Hungary still not enough, and that they will again recommend member states withhold 7.5 bn € from #Orban. So now ball is back in the EU council's court. @moritzkoerner @daniel_freund @katarinabarley”
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
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
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
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
Commissioner Didier Reynders clarified that the milestones are binding and time-bound. No partial payments for partial fulfillment
Makes one wonder if money will be disbursed if the non-essential milestones are not met?
Adelina Marini
