European Commission does not comply with MPs’ ultimatum – does not limit fund money to problematic countries / Article

The European Commission is not fulfilling the ultimatum of MEPs to start restricting funds for problem countriesArtyom Konohov / Latvian Radio00:00 / 01:57

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MEPs are not happy with the European Commission’s response to their resolution, which calls for the new to be introduced immediately the rule of law mechanism. This tool makes it possible to restrict access to European Union funds to countries where, for example, there are problems with the independence of the judiciary or corruption.

The Hungarian and Polish Governments strongly oppose this tool and consider it to be contrary to the Treaty on European Union. Therefore, both countries have filed a lawsuit, which may be expected at the end of this year. The other Member States, on the other hand, have agreed not to start using the new mechanism until the court has given its opinion.

However, Members of the European Parliament did not mind this delay and in a resolution called on the Commission to take action within two months. That deadline expired on Tuesday evening.

Balāžs Ūjvāri, the press secretary of the European Commission, stated that there were no delays. According to him, careful preparations are currently underway.

Ujvāri explained:

“It is important to emphasize that this is a last resort. We have many other tools at our disposal to protect the European Union’s budget and financial interests. As this is a last resort, we would like to make sure that the proper procedure is followed before using it.”

However, MEP Sofia Invelde of the Renew Europe group, which is active in defending the new rule of law, called the commission’s response a letter of resignation and resentment against Europeans. MEPs now have two months to decide whether to take the European Commission to court for failure to fulfill their obligations.

It is clear that Hungary and Poland could be the first countries to be targeted by the new instrument.

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