The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Tuesday the triggering of this procedure which could deprive Hungary of European funds, two days after Viktor Orban’s victory in the Hungarian legislative elections.

The “conditionality” mechanism is a procedure in force since January 2021, but never used before, which allows the suspension of EU funds to a country where there are violations of the rule of law which affect EU finances. A possible suspension or reduction of payments must be approved by at least 15 out of 27 Member States representing at least 65% of the total EU population. Such a procedure is expected to take between six and nine months.

The launch of this unprecedented procedure was announced on Tuesday by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the European Parliament, which applauded the initiative.

Poland, another country regularly at loggerheads with Brussels over rule of law issues, is not subject to such a procedure at this stage.

Etat de droit : la Hongrie menacée par l’UE d’être privée de fonds (FR)