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What were the top stories in EU politics this week?

Brussels stepped up its work to confiscate Russian-owned assets that have been frozen under EU sanctions and use them to finance the costly reconstruction of Ukraine.

Europe News

Brussels backs €7.5 billion cut of EU funds to Hungary

The European Commission believes the reforms undertaken by Budapest so far to ensure EU money is not misused did not go far enough.

Hungary

Brussels to decide if EU funds for Hungary should be blocked

The European Commission is considering freezing cohesion funds for Budapest after the Hungarian government implemented 17 measures to tackle corruption concerns. Brussels will make a decision based on Hungary’s efforts on November 30.

Europe News

Brussels recommends billions in EU funds be withheld from Hungary

The European Commission's assessment is that Budapest has not delivered on its reforms to ensure EU funds are not misappropriated and it has decided to refer the matter to the Council.

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Europe News

Hungary optimistic EU will unblock funds despite rule of law concerns

Some have accused Hungary of blackmail by using its veto power over other important EU issues, including sanctions against Russia, a planned minimum global corporate tax, and the issuance of common debt to fund €18 billion of support for Ukraine.

Europe News

EU democracy is under attack by mercenary spyware, claims new report

Illegal cases of spyware use have been detected in Poland, Hungary, Greece and Spain, raising concerns about privacy rights and press freedom.

The Cube

Hungary PM Viktor Orbán has only just joined Twitter. Why now?

With Hungarians generally preferring Facebook, there is seemingly little domestic motivation for Orban to join the rival platform.

Europe News

Hungary appears confident it can prevent €7.5 billion cut in EU funds

Hungary has committed to implementing 17 measures to strengthen oversight into how EU funds are spent in the country before mid-November.

Europe News

Brussels calls for €7.5 billion EU funding cut from Hungary

The Commission stressed that this is the next step in its rule of law mechanism process.

Europe News

'It's a joke', says Orbán after MEPs declare Hungary an 'autocracy'

"The only reason we don’t laugh at it is because we’re bored of it," the Hungarian Prime Minister said in reaction to the European Parliament's report.

Europe News

Hungary is no longer a full democracy, MEPs say in new resolution

MEPs argue a lack of decisive EU action has led to a "breakdown in democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights" in Hungary.

Culture news

Which weird and outdated laws can stop you having fun in Europe?

Across the continent, bizarre and outdated legislation still exists to spoil the party.

Europe News

Brussels and Warsaw in new tussle over post-COVID recovery fund

The general secretary of Poland's ruling party said they were prepared to aim "all our cannons in our arsenal" on the Commission and if needed form a coalition to unseat Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President.

Europe News

Brussels questions Polish judicial reforms to unlock EU recovery funds

The European Commission has said at least one necessary element was "missing" from Poland's judicial reforms.

Europe News

Prague will be 'honest broker' on rule of law, says Commissioner

Commissioner Věra Jourová, said Prague will also focus on strengthening democracy across the bloc during its EU presidency and will be an "honest broker" with Poland and Hungary.

Europe News

Von der Leyen defends controversial approval of Polish recovery plan

MEPs urged the Commission to withhold payments until all judicial reforms are carried out.

Europe News

MEPs want confidence vote in VDL over COVID cash decision for Poland

Senior MEPs have criticised von der Leyen for approving Poland's recovery plan despite concerns over its rule of law provisions.

Europe News

Brussels approves €35B Polish recovery plan despite rule of law doubts

The plan was blocked for more than a year over controversial judicial reforms in Poland.

Hungary

EU determined to uphold rule of law following Orban's re-election

Hungary's Justice Minister had urged the bloc not to create division amid the war in Ukraine.

Europe Decoded

EU member states can leave, but can the bloc kick one of them out?

The EU has not included such a procedure in its treaties — adding it now would take years and most likely fail.