Hungary, Poland Block EU Budget And Coronavirus Rescue

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News reporting from Budapest, Hungary

(Worthy News) – Hungary and Poland blocked approval of the European Union’s 1.8 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) budget and coronavirus rescue package after accusing the bloc of interfering in their domestic affairs.

Budapest and Warsaw are furious over a clause that would link EU funding to respect for the rule of law in the bloc.

The EU has accused the right-wing Hungarian and Polish governments of limiting the independence of the media, judiciary, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions.

At Monday’s meeting of EU ambassadors, Hungary and Poland made clear that they would not accept Brussels’ demands for different policies.

Speaking ahead of the gathering, Hungary’s Justice Minister Judit Varga accused the EU of blackmail. “Those who know Hungarian history, know that when it comes to the future of our children and grandchildren, the Hungarian people and Hungary do not compromise, whether it is a war of independence or just a simple veto.”

Despite her warning, EU ambassadors voted through the clause that made access to EU funds conditional on adherence to the rule of law anyway.

That was possible because “it only required a qualified majority,” the German EU presidency said.

But the massive budget and the 750-billion euro rescue package needed unanimous support and were then blocked by EU member states Poland and Hungary.

It came as a massive setback as EU states had already agreed in principle on the budget for 2021-2027, and the coronavirus stimulus package after a marathon four-day summit in July.

The standoff has plunged the 27-nation bloc into a political crisis. It also threatened to deepen the economic turmoil in nations suffering from the coronavirus pandemic and related measures.

More talks were due this week on the future of the increasingly troubled EU, after Britain already exited the bloc in a Brexit procedure.

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