08/01/2024 (Agence Europe) – In an interview on RTBF radio on Monday 8 January, the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, highlighted the merits of the budget conditionality mechanism. Activated since December 2020 to protect the EU budget, this mechanism requires Member States to respect the principle of the Rule of law and introduce the necessary reforms, failing which EU funds may be frozen pending implementation of the reforms. “Italy is fundamentally reforming its justice system so that (its) recovery plan can be implemented. With Hungary, it’s the first time - even though there is still a great deal to be done - that some reforms have been implemented. Why? Because there is budgetary pressure”, stressed Mr Reynders. (BD)