I read on Daily News Hungary that Judit Varga, Hungary’s justice minister, had announced that the Hungarian government and the European Commission had signed a technical agreement about opening EUR 13 billion from the EUR 22 billion EU funds. However, Brussels waits for the Hungarian justice reform. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn arrived in Budapest to negotiate about the EU funds with PM.
I was sure that EU financial support to Hungary would cease if a certain set of changes were not made. How will the Hungarian government learn the lesson?
I think that the EU is too lenient to be able to effectively influence Hungary, it lacks the power to impose its will upon Hungary. It suggests to me that the EU is a too weak and soft political / social / economical system.
But the thing is, the EU operates on a system of checks and balances, with member states having their own sovereignty and decision-making power. While the EU can withhold financial support to Hungary as a consequence of certain actions, it cannot force Hungary to make changes.
That being said, the Hungarian government should understand that there are consequences to its actions and policies, not just in terms of financial support from the EU but also in terms of its reputation and relationships with other countries. Hungary cannot afford to isolate itself from the rest of the world and must work towards building positive relationships with its neighbors and the international community.
The people here should also hold this government accountable and demand transparency and accountability from their leaders. Change can only come from within.