On Tuesday 29 September, Hungary found the proposal of the German EU Council Presidency to link the payment of the EU budget to respect for the rule of law (see EUROPE 12569/1) unacceptable.
Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said on Facebook that the proposal would result in unilateral changes to the EU treaties. It would thus violate the rule of law itself and constitute “blackmail”.
“In July, the heads of state and government agreed on a mechanism to protect the budget of the EU and not on another rule of law mechanism”, Ms Varga said.
Support from the Recovery Plan “must be provided as soon as possible for Member States that are in need. The proposal puts at risk quick and effective action by reopening questions already settled”, she said. And she went on to add, “This is exactly what the frugals want, as they have never really supported European recovery”.
The ‘rule of law/budget’ proposal must be adopted by qualified majority in the EU Council, but Hungary and Poland threaten not to ratify the Own Resources Decision (which implements the Recovery Plan), if the text on the rule of law does not suit them.
Negotiations on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Plan, which have been very difficult, are due to resume on 8 October (see EUROPE 12569/2). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)