Hungary: ECOFIN Ministers must defend shared European values

Renew Europe has today written to Finance and Economic Affairs Ministers, ahead of their meeting on Tuesday, to support the European Commission’s decision of the 30th November regarding Hungary; that further essential steps will be needed to eliminate remaining risks for the EU budget and that the measures proposed on 18th September remain valid, due to the systemic and persistent dismantling of the rule of law.

Renew Europe firmly believes that basic democratic standards in the Union must be defended and taxpayer’s money protected. Viktor Orbán’s attempts to blackmail the Union, including EU support for Ukraine, must not be appeased. We repeat our call for EU funds to go directly to civil society and the people of Hungary, to ensure they are not unfairly penalised by the illiberalism of their own Government.

Stéphane Séjourné, President of Renew Europe, said:

“We must all take our responsibility and defend shared European values. The rule of law in our Union and the protection of EU taxpayer’s money are existential issues. Viktor Orbán’s attempts to blackmail our Union cannot be rewarded.’’