EU Party Leaders Warn Against Orbán's Blackmail Tactics in Frozen Billions Dispute

The heads of Europe's largest political groups are urging the European Commission not to release billions of euros in frozen funds to Hungary until the country fully resolves its rule-of-law issues. The leaders of the European People's Party, the Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, and the Greens have signed a draft letter expressing concern over the positive assessment of Hungarian judicial reforms. While EU officials argue that Hungary has fulfilled the rule-of-law requirements, the signatories argue that Hungary has not lived up to its commitments and highlight ongoing concerns about judicial independence. They also warn about new threats to the rule of law in Hungary, including a proposed "defence sovereignty law" that would grant sweeping powers to the Prime Minister without democratic supervision.