Members of the European Parliament from Hungary’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance are urging the immediate and unconditional release of European Union funds that have been frozen. According to these Hungarian MEPs, approximately €6.3 billion tied to three of Hungary’s operational programmes has remained inaccessible since 2022. This amount represents roughly 55% of the allocated funds for these initiatives. In addition to these funds, they are also insisting on the release of resources from the EU’s post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility and broader cohesion funds designated for Hungary.
The Hungarian delegation claims that negotiations in 2020 had secured around €22 billion in additional cohesion funding for the country. However, they accuse European institutions of withholding part of this money due to political motivations. Alongside their calls for the release of these funds, the MEPs are advocating for a proposed €11 billion increase in the EU budget for 2027. This proposal includes a specific request for an extra €2.5 billion dedicated to the Common Agricultural Policy. Their focus also extends to providing more substantial support for young farmers, the wine industry, and beekeeping.
Furthermore, Hungarian MEPs in the Patriots for Europe group have put forward a suggestion to double the EU agricultural crisis fund, increasing it from €450 million to €900 million. This proposal comes in response to recent drought-related agricultural losses and the rising costs confronting livestock farmers. In addition to agriculture, the MEPs are pushing for heightened funding for border protection, seeking reimbursement for Hungary’s expenses on border control, and calling for a review of the EU migration pact to address concerns.
Another area of concern for the Fidesz-KDNP delegation is the impact of restrictions on the Erasmus programme participation for Hungarian university students. They are advocating for the restoration of Erasmus funding to ensure Hungarian students can benefit from this educational exchange programme. In contrast to their push for increased funding in certain areas, the delegation is proposing a reduction of €250 million in EU funding allocated to civil society organisations. The MEPs argue that such funding exerts undue political pressure on member states and should be reconsidered.