EU billions: Brussels has to turn the tap on Orban

It is not only in the case of the controversial law on homosexuality that it becomes clear: Hungary is collecting billions from the EU while fundamental European values ​​are being violated. It is time for Brussels Orban’s budget to cut.

Something is moving in the EU. The Brussels Commission is not just speaking straightforward and calling the Hungarian law on homosexuals what it is: a shame. The Brussels Commission is finally examining serious consequences. That can only go through the money – where it really hurts the rulers in Budapest.

Orban has been ensuring that EU funds go primarily to his friends and family for ten years. He puts pressure on the judiciary, which could investigate it. And he harasses independent journalists who might report critically on it.

For Orban, the EU is like an ATM. Billions are being cashed in, but fundamental European values ​​are being violated. For years, infringement proceedings have fizzled out, for years Orban and his imitators in other member countries, from Poland to Bulgaria, have been able to expand their power apparatus with the help of funds from the European Community budget.

We taxpayers support Orban’s policy

And that is the real scandal. Because that means: We taxpayers in Europe are helping to ensure that violators of the rule of law can still consolidate their rule.

Every year around six billion euros go to Hungary alone from the Community budget. Now more than seven billion should come from the Corona aid fund. The first tranche could flow before the summer break. This transfer must be stopped. The Brussels Commission is examining it, but it cannot enforce it on its own. It depends on the governments of the member countries.

Therefore, clear words from the Chancellor would now be the order of the day. As the head of Europe’s largest economy, her word has weight, especially when it comes to money. But Angela Merkel has so far gladly used this weight to repeatedly push through compromise offers in favor of Orban among the heads of state and government. Most recently at the summit in December, when it ensured that the new rule of law – actually intended to explicitly allow funding cuts – is not applied for the time being.

Carrot and rewards no longer work

Hungary and Poland were given time pending a ruling by the European Court of Justice. But that takes way too long.

The policy of carrots and rewards – this policy has failed. And it now depends on the Chancellor to admit that. It should support the Brussels Commission in correcting the course. Renowned European lawyers from several countries have just set out in an expert report how this is done.

Their conclusion: proceedings to reduce funds from the Community budget can be initiated against Hungary immediately. You just have to want it. And experience should help that the long-term compromises in favor of Orban resulted in nothing other than new taboos and unreasonable demands. Finally, a law that removes homosexuality from school books. And that’s where Ursula von der Leyen is right: just a shame.