The former deputy mayor of Budapest has criticized Viktor Orbán's centralization, demanding the release of European funds withheld from Hungary. However, she omits a key detail: those funds were frozen precisely due to rule-of-law violations and corruption cases. Requesting EU money without promoting real democratic reforms is contradictory.
EU funds conditioned on independent judicial control systems 🔒
The technical solution involves implementing verifiable mechanisms for judicial independence and anti-corruption efforts. This includes external audits of courts, merit-based appointments rather than political loyalties, and early warning systems for corruption cases. Without these requirements, any disbursement risks funding opaque structures that weaken the rule of law in Hungary.
The Hungarian paradox: asking for money to avoid being controlled 🤔
It's like asking a neighbor to lend you their car after crashing yours by ignoring traffic signs. The former deputy mayor wants funds for projects but forgets that the EU is not an ATM without conditions. If Hungary wants to play in the European league, it will have to accept the rules of the game, including technical reviews.