Just over three years ago, the European Union decided to cut off funding to Hungary. Billions in EU subsidies were frozen. Universities were no longer allowed to receive European funding, and the exchange of Erasmus students was to be halted. Hungary first had to take concrete steps to strengthen the rule of law.
Now, Viktor Orbán’s sixteen-year rule has come to an end. In the April elections, Péter Magyar’s opposition party secured victory. He has pledged to tackle corruption in the country and to restore the independence of higher education.
It is paying off. The European Commission wants to resume cooperation with Hungary, and some European funding will once again be made available. According to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the Magyar government has already taken significant steps. She said this today during a press conference in Brussels alongside the new Hungarian leader.
In love
There is still work to be done, but the President speaks of a “strong wind of change”. Progress has also been made in the area of academic freedom.
Von der Leyen concluded by paying special attention to Erasmus+. In her view, such an exchange allows you to fall in love with another country, language and culture. She believes it is important that Hungarian students, too, can once again enjoy that special experience. And that will be possible again from the coming academic year.