EU Unlocks €16.4 Billion for Hungary as Peter Magyar Reverses Orban-Era Policies

17 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 29

€16.4 billion in EU funds will be released to Hungary after Brussels said Peter Magyar's new government had moved quickly on reforms that had stalled under Viktor Orban.
The package includes €10 billion from the EU recovery fund, €4.2 billion in cohesion money and another €2.2 billion tied to completing remaining steps; officials said first disbursements could arrive before year-end.
Ursula von der Leyen said about €18 billion had been frozen over democratic backsliding, corruption and LGBTQ-related concerns, but praised a "strong wind of change" after talks with Magyar in Brussels.
Magyar, elected last month, has already scrapped Orban's plan to quit the ICC, while Budapest police also said they would not ban next month's Pride parade after last year's prohibition.
The funding equals about 13% of Hungary's budget and delivers on Magyar's central campaign pledge to restore EU cash and help revive the economy and public services.

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