Hungary’s budget feels the heat with frozen EU funds and mounting fines [Advocacy Lab Content]

In a presentation in the National Assembly, Economy Minister Márton Nagy stated that approximately €12.5 billion would be spent on economic development in 2026, with around €5.71 billion coming from the EU and the rest from the domestic budget. With most EU recovery and cohesion funds currently frozen – due to Hungary’s failure to meet all the conditions tied to rule-of-law reforms – the government may face a larger budget shortfall unless it reduces spending or finds new sources of income. In addition to criticising the proposed transparency legislation, the MEPs also cite the government’s undermining of the judiciary, interference in the work of the Hungarian Integrity Authority, and the banning of the Pride march in Budapest.

Author: Xhoi Zajmi

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