The EU’s decision to continue freezing funds due to Hungary has resulted in a historic achievement for the Central European country of 10 million: It is now a net contributor to Brussels’ coffers, joining the illustrious ranks of countries such as Germany, France, Sweden and the Netherlands.
This has not happened since Hungary joined the EU in 2004.
By the end of October this year, reveals Nepszava, barely HUF 589 billion of EU support had flowed into the Hungarian budget, while HUF 609 billion of Hungarian taxpayers’ money had been paid into the common budget as EU membership fees.
Going into the end of the year, it is expected that this situation may change if additional funds owed are paid to Hungary. Still, 2025 would still be the year when the least EU support will be drawn.
Hungary remains one of the poorest countries in the EU and is well documented as largely dependent on EU support, or “catching up” funds.
However, due to various alleged rule of law violations, the European Commission has been withholding support; concerns voiced range from claims over a lack of judicial and prosecutorial independence and corruption to an alleged lack of competition in public procurement and disregard for EU’s open borders policies.
The Orbán government, and his supporters across Europe, claim that Brussels is simply playing politics, i.e., withholding funds over differences in political ideology, be that opposition to the EU’s extreme LGBTQ+ agenda or fervent calls to continue the war in Ukraine—both of which Hungary and Hungarians have voiced strong opinions against.
This past April, Orbán slammed Hungarian opposition MEPs for conspiring with European Union officials to damage Hungary’s economy and healthcare system. Describing it as “a dark day for Hungarian democracy,” he argued that opposition politicians were working against the interests of Hungarian citizens in an effort to undermine the ruling government’s efforts to boost the country’s economy and citizens’ wellbeing — all in an effort to finally convince voters Orbán and his Fidesz party must be ousted.
The main contender against Fidesz in next year’s parliamentary elections in Hungary is the Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar, a former member of Fidesz and ex-husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga.
Now a member of the EPP in the European Parliament, Tisza is being pushed by EPP leader Manfred Weber, with the understanding that Tisza will likely fall in line with all of Brussels’ demands once in power. Then, and only then, will Hungary receive the rest of its funds, or so it has been indicated.
For now, Fidesz is still in power, Orbán has made it clear he will not play ball with their demands, and funds remain frozen.
Diving into a more detailed breakdown, Nepszava explained that EU funds received by Hungary have gone from HUF 1.6 trillion in 2021 to HUF 1.4 trillion in 2022, a jump in 2023 to HUF 2.2 trillion, and then a drop in 2024 to HUF 1.3 trillion.
Meanwhile, Hungarian contributions to the EU have fluctuated between HUF 450-674 billion. In 2024, the balance of payments and disbursements, according to the portal, was HUF 668 billion compared to the usual amount of around HUF 1 trillion in previous years. This year, however, the subsidies have completely dried up, so by the end of October, only HUF 589 billion had arrived, HUF 20 billion forints less than paid in.
So, for now, Hungary can enjoy being a “net contributor,” although it is clear that the government is gunning to get the rest of its funds owed, as quickly as possible.
The post Hungary becomes ‘net contributor’ for first time since joining the EU appeared first on Remix News.
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