Roughly four years ago, the European Union decided to halt the flow of much of its funding to Hungary. Under then president Viktor Orbán, the rule of law was under pressure and EU funds were ending up in the pockets of corrupt politicians.
Since then, Hungarian researchers have been unable to apply for funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme. Students from the country have also been unable to go on exchanges funded through the Erasmus+ programme.
Tackle corruption
But Orbán is no longer in power. Since April, Hungary has been governed by a new administration led by Péter Magyar. He has pledged to tackle corruption in the country and restore the independence of higher education.
Although Magyar has been in power for a relatively short time, the European Commission believes enough progress has been made: “Hungary has taken important steps to strengthen the rule of law and protect the Union’s financial interests”, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says in a press release.
Before the summer, it was announced that Hungarian students would once again be able to take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme. Researchers will soon be able to take part in the Horizon research programme again. The Commission also proposes to unlock 4.2 billion euros in funding previously withheld from the country.
The proposal first needs to be approved by the heads of government in the European Council. They were the ones who imposed the sanctions at the time, so they must now decide whether it is time to lift them.