Criticism from Italy: EU Commission “is driving Orbán into the hands…

After the Polish government, Italy’s ultra-right party Fratelli d’Italia is also backing Orbán in the dispute over withholding EU funds.

Against the planned cut worth billions EU-Appropriations for Hungary stirs resistance. After the Polish government, the Italian ultra-right also backed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor on Monday Orbán. The EU Commission drives “Orbán into the arms of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin“, criticized the head of the post-fascist right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia, Giorgia Meloni.

According to polls following Sunday’s general election, Meloni might become the new Italian prime minister. She told the newspaper Il Giornale (Monday edition) that Brussels was dividing the 27 member states and using “the rule of law as an ideological weapon to target those who are not in line”. The EU Commission proposed on Sunday to cut 7.5 billion euros in subsidies for Hungary. She accuses the country of corruption and other serious violations of fundamental rights.

15 EU countries have to vote for it

The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki then announced that his country would oppose the cut in funding for Hungary “with all its strength”. The Commission wants Hungary to cut 65 percent of the money from the so-called cohesion fund, which is used to develop disadvantaged regions. Whether the 7.5 billion will actually be canceled is a matter for the member states. A qualified majority is required for a decision: at least 15 EU countries, representing 65 percent of the European population.

Brussels diplomats warn that this quorum may no longer be achieved following a shift to the right in Italy. The European Parliament is therefore criticizing that the EU Commission has waited too long with the recommendation on Hungary. MEP Daniel Freund (Greens) called on the EU on Deutschlandfunk to freeze all funding for Hungary until Orbán had implemented constitutional reforms.

Vote probably in November at the earliest

It is uncertain whether the EU states will vote quickly on the 7.5 billion euros. The European ministers responsible for the rule of law are meeting in Brussels this Tuesday, but Hungary is not on the agenda.

According to reports, the vote in the Council of Ministers might only take place in November or even in mid-December. The commission pointed out on Sunday that Hungary intends to implement “measures to rectify the situation” by November 19. Among other things, Budapest is planning an anti-corruption agency.

(WHAT/AFP)