Overview
- The European Commission proposed on Wednesday, September 23rd to free €4.2 billion previously frozen over rule‑of‑law concerns after assessing that Budapest tightened controls on EU money and made public procurement more transparent.
- The proposal notes Hungary has joined the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and introduced anti‑corruption and spending controls that the Commission judged sufficient for this first tranche.
- EU member states must formally approve the release and have one month to decide, so the payment will not proceed until capitals sign off.
- Members of the European Parliament have expressed scepticism about the speed of the assessment and plan on‑site visits in early October to verify that legal changes are being put into practice.
- Significant funds remain conditional: the Commission links another €2.2 billion to academic and research reforms and access to Erasmus+ and Horizon, and up to €10 billion from the EU recovery fund still depends on further verifiable steps and deadline disputes.