The three parties of the German government coalition demand a tougher action from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz towards Hungary, according to them, Budapest should only receive EU subsidies if they see that they are "seriously dealing with the democratic decline", read Politico .
In December, a decision will be made in Brussels on whether to withhold the approximately 7.5 billion euros of EU funds intended for Hungary, or whether the Hungarian government's anti-corruption measures are deemed sufficient. The EU is also withholding 5.8 billion euros in money intended for Hungary to repair damages caused by the coronavirus, and is asking for further judicial reforms before releasing the money. The newspaper writes that the promises made by Viktor Orbán towards Brussels "experts and activists" .
The faction of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) - the three parties in the government coalition - plans to vote on a motion on Thursday that "calls on" the government to "thoroughly examine" whether reforms in Hungary have -is their "sustainable effect in practice".
There are serious doubts about the political will of the Hungarian government, whether the necessary reforms will be implemented not only in letter, but also in reality."
The motion also calls on the European Commission to "make sure" that the reforms proposed by Hungary are sufficient to correct all relevant deficiencies in the rule of law. Until the Commission can guarantee this, the German government should vote in favor of suspending the 7.5 billion, the text reads. They ask that they change their position only if the Hungarian government "adequate evidence" that it has taken "effective corrective measures".
"It's not about sanctions," according to them
FDP politician Michael Link argued that it is important for both the Commission and the German government to protect democratic values throughout the Union.
"Viktor Orbán cannot avoid the reforms necessary to restore the rule of law with half-baked compromises and window measures," said Link.
This is in no way about sanctioning the Orbán government, but about the sustainable strengthening of the rule of law"
Opening photo: Michael Kappeler / DPA / AFP
