Didier Reynders does not rule out the use of a rule of law mechanism.
"The European Commission (EC) does not rule out that it will also apply the conditions attached to the awarding of catch-up (cohesion) subsidies in connection with the Sovereignty Protection Act," said Didier Reynders, Commissioner of Justice of the EC, to Népszava's question during the background discussion on this year's rule of law report.
In practice, this means another withdrawal of money, writes 24.hu, which reports on the news. According to Népszava, Reynders reminded us that a similar decision was made more than a year ago because of the so-called Child Protection Act and several other "Hungarian legislation that violates the basic values of the EU".
Therefore, the EC is currently blocking approximately 2.4 billion euros from the cohesion funds due to Hungary.
The essence of the system of conditions introduced in the current budget cycle, the newspaper wrote, is that member states can only benefit from EU development grants if they respect the jointly agreed rules and the provisions of the Community's Charter of Fundamental Rights during their use.
However, in the infringement procedure against the Sovereignty Protection Act launched in February this year, the European Court of Justice found that it violates the democratic values of the EU.
According to them, the law goes against several fundamental rights contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the right to respect for private and family life and the protection of personal data, as well as the freedom of expression and information, and the freedom of association.
Cover image: Didier Reynders, Member of the European Commission responsible for justice
Source: MTI/EPA/Olivier Hoslet
