A new proposal for the EU budget can count on provisional approval from Hungary and Poland. Both Eastern European countries recently voted against previous budget proposals and were therefore diametrically opposed to several other EU member states. These Member States, including the Netherlands, have yet to take a decision on the new proposal.
This concerns the EU budget for the coming years of 1.8 trillion euros. This also includes 750 billion euros in emergency aid due to the corona crisis. However, this support is linked to rules for a free press and independent justice.
That link has met with resistance from Poland and Hungary, who do not want the support they receive to be tied to such rules. The Member States refer to these as internal matters that Brussels should not get involved in.
Germany recently submitted a new proposal to both countries, which can agree, a Polish government official said Wednesday. An EU employee also reported that Poland and Hungary can live with the new proposal. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Tuesday that there is a good chance of an agreement this week.
On Wednesday it should become clear whether the Netherlands and its supporters agree. The aim is to reach an agreement before Thursday’s European Council. Exactly what the new proposal looks like has not yet been released.
Agreement is needed quickly so that the EU budget enters into force on 1 January and preparations for filling the nearly EUR 700 billion recovery fund can begin. The European Commission will borrow money for this on the financial markets.
EU President Charles Michel wrote in his invitation to EU leaders and heads of state on Wednesday that he is “confident” about the prospect of agreement.
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