At the digital EU summit, European leaders did not further intensify the conflict with Hungary and Poland over the budget. The issue, which was added to the leaders’ agendas at the last minute, took just over 15 minutes to deal with.
The case revolves around Hungary and Poland’s veto this week on the EU budget for the next seven years. They are also blocking the € 750 billion corona support package.
Chancellor Merkel of EU President Germany told the other leaders at the summit that Hungary and Poland, supported by Slovenia, have strong objections to the agreements that have been made to shorten countries that are not so close to the rule of law. European subsidies. Merkel said that solutions are being sought.
Overdone
President Michel of the European Council was also given the floor, after which Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán was allowed to explain why he had vetoed. Orbán believes that Brussels should not interfere with the way democracy is organized in his country. Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki also said his country finds the link between the rule of law and the discontinuation of subsidies excessive. Slovenian leader Jansa used similar words.
Chairman Michel then concluded that there is a problem, but that a solution will be sought in the coming days and weeks. The other leaders had no need to get involved in the discussion at this point. It was clear in advance that the 24 EU countries that do support the agreements were not willing to negotiate about it.
Prime Minister Rutte said afterwards that the ball now lies with Hungary and Poland. According to him, those countries have the responsibility to find a solution. “In the European Union it doesn’t work that you can express the corona cigar, vote against and then wait for the rest to send the fried chickens into your home,” said Rutte. “Then you are also expected to say how.”
European parliament
The European Parliament will play an important role in the search for a way out. Parliament must agree to a compromise. The current proposal has also come at the insistence of the parliament, which believes that after years of talking about principles of the rule of law, now is the time to take action. The leader of the largest group in parliament, the German Manfred Weber, announced earlier today that the parliament does not intend to back down.
After the discussion about the budget, the leaders spoke further about the corona crisis.