Members of the European Parliament from Hungary’s Fidesz-KDNP party are urging for the swift and unconditional release of European Union funds currently withheld from their country. The Hungarian MEPs highlighted that roughly €6.3 billion, which is tied to three operational programs in Hungary, was frozen in 2022. This amount accounts for about 55% of the funds designated for these programs. Moreover, they are pressing for access to the EU’s post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility and broader cohesion funds allocated to Hungary.
The MEPs assert that Hungary secured approximately €22 billion in additional cohesion funding in 2020 and have accused European institutions of politically motivated actions in withholding portions of this money. Alongside the fund release demands, they are advocating for a €11 billion increase to the EU budget for 2027, advocating for an added €2.5 billion specifically for the Common Agricultural Policy. The emphasis is on bolstering support for sectors such as young farmers, the wine industry, and beekeeping.
Further proposals from Hungarian members of the Patriots for Europe group include a call to double the EU agricultural crisis fund from €450 million to €900 million. This request is in response to recent adversities faced by farmers, including drought-related crop losses and escalating costs for livestock farming. Additionally, there is a push for increased funding towards border protection, as well as the reimbursement of Hungary’s expenses on border control, accompanied by a demand for a reassessment of the EU migration pact.
The Hungarian delegation is also advocating for the restoration of Erasmus funding for their university students, who have been impacted by restrictions on participation in the program. In contrast, they propose a reduction of €250 million in EU funding for civil society organizations, contending that these funds have been used to exert politically motivated pressure on member states.