Hungary moved a step closer on Wednesday 3 May to unlocking around €22 billion in EU funds, as the Hungarian Parliament adopted a judicial reform on the same day that could unlock at least €13.2 billion of these funds, including €5.8 billion from the European Recovery Plan and €6.3 billion in Cohesion Funds, frozen in December due to Member States’ concerns about the respect of the rule of law in the country (see EUROPE 13083/27).
However, the Commission has to wait for the entry into force of this reform on 1 June and analyse at that time whether the Commission's demands have been met. Hungary has to meet a total of 27 milestones in order to receive initial payments.
Vice-President of the European Commission Věra Jourová, welcomed a “positive step” on Wednesday 3 May at a press briefing, but confirmed that this was only the beginning and that it would take time to release the funds.
The reform adopted by the Hungarian parliament on Wednesday covers four milestones; it strengthens the independence of the judiciary, reduces powers to influence judicial decisions, protects judges from arbitrary decisions and strengthens the right of courts to refer preliminary questions to the EU Court of Justice.
Funds are also being frozen in relation to the controversial child ‘protection’ law, which is seen as a law against LGBTIQ+ people. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)