The Renew Europe group in the European Parliament has proposed tightening the rules that make the EU budget conditional on respect for the rule of law by creating a ‘smart conditionality’ mechanism, in a 10-point plan on strengthening respect for the rule of law at European level, presented in Strasbourg on Wednesday 23 October.
German Liberal Moritz Körner has praised the introduction of the ‘conditionality/rule of law’ regulation during negotiations on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and its application to European funds to be allocated to Hungary. In his view, as part of the negotiations on the next MFF, an additional mechanism should be created to enable the European Commission to manage European funds that would normally be blocked via the ‘conditionality/rule of law’ mechanism, so that they benefit the final beneficiaries.
He cited the example of Hungarian students who could take part in the Erasmus+ programme even though they were studying at Hungarian universities close to Viktor Orbán’s government and therefore likely to be affected by a freeze on European funds.
Mr Körner pledged that the Renew Europe group would remain at the forefront of the fight for respect for the rule of law. “Not only in Hungary”, he noted, pointing to difficulties observed “in Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria and Greece”.
In particular, the centre-right group wants to establish a specific mechanism for the defence of democracy and fundamental rights in the EU.
It also recommends broadening the scope of the annual report on the rule of law to include obstacles encountered by economic operators within the Internal market, in particular when they are excluded from certain contracts or public procurement. The European Commission’s Competition and Justice departments could set up joint teams to investigate specific cases, said Mr Körner, citing the pressure exerted on Spar supermarkets in Hungary.
The MEP also spoke of strengthening the role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). With increased financial and human resources, it should be better able to investigate complex cross-border cases. “Member States that do not take part in the EPPO should not be eligible for managing EU funds indirectly”, the action plan even states.
Other recommendations concern stricter application of infringement procedures, strengthening judicial cooperation through support for civil society and compliance with international law, in particular the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
See the Renew Europe group’s action plan: https://aeur.eu/f/e0f (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)