Members of the European Parliament from Hungary’s Fidesz-KDNP party are urging the European Union to immediately and unconditionally release funds that have been withheld from the country. These funds, amounting to approximately €6.3 billion, were frozen in 2022 and are linked to three Hungarian operational programmes, representing about 55% of the funds allocated under those initiatives. The Hungarian MEPs are also pressing for the release of funds from the EU’s post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility, along with Hungary’s broader cohesion funds.
In an effort to bolster Hungary’s financial support, the group highlighted that Hungary had negotiated around €22 billion in additional cohesion funding back in 2020. They accused European institutions of withholding some of this funding for political reasons. Furthermore, the MEPs are advocating for an €11 billion increase to the EU’s budget for 2027, which includes an additional €2.5 billion earmarked for the Common Agricultural Policy. This proposal aims to provide more robust support for young farmers, alongside the wine and beekeeping industries.
The Hungarian members affiliated with the Patriots for Europe group have put forth a proposal to double the EU agricultural crisis fund from its current €450 million to €900 million. They argue that recent drought-induced crop losses and the rising costs faced by livestock farmers necessitate this increase. Additionally, the group is calling for expanded funding for border protection, the reimbursement of Hungary’s border-control expenses, and a reevaluation of the EU migration pact.
Concerns about educational opportunities also feature in their demands, with calls to restore Erasmus funding for Hungarian university students who have been affected by restrictions on program participation. In a controversial move, the Fidesz-KDNP delegation has suggested that EU funding for civil society organizations be cut by €250 million, citing what they perceive as undue politically motivated pressure on member states.