21
Nov
2023
Watch
Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary (debate)
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, In Budapest, posters are being hung again, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen near a supposedly globalist world conspiracy – i.e. blunt lies with a decent portion of anti-Semitism, paid with taxpayers’ money. However, it must be said that Orbán is probably running out of ideas, because we all had these posters five years ago – at that time with Jean-Claude Juncker and the older Soros. So instead of finally reforming the rule of law and thus freeing up the 28 billion euros that the citizens in Hungary so urgently need, they are making false posters all over the country. I think this government is still not serious about the reforms. I do not consider Orbán to be a reliable negotiating partner. Ongoing vetoes, blackmail attempts – and I do not really understand why the Commission can be fooled by them. Why don't you suspend the preparatory talks for the Council Presidency? Why not freeze the money that is still flowing – this year alone, €3 billion of EU money that has gone to Hungary? And now it is being discussed whether the pre-financing for REPowerEU should not be paid after all. I really don't think that's a good idea. Please let us know that this will not happen. (The speaker agreed to answer a question on the blue card procedure.)