Hungary’s EU recovery depends on structural reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, and transparency, not just political statements.
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Hungary’s relationship with the European Union has declined due to democratic backsliding under Viktor Orbán, issues with the rule of law, corruption allegations, weakening press independence, and energy dependence on Russia. Expectations are that future Prime Minister Peter Magyar will improve this relationship. According to journalist György Folk, Hungary’s return to the EU’s core sphere requires consistent, structural changes, not just political statements. Key areas needing reform include accepting European Public Prosecutor’s Office oversight, resolving the blocage of the €10.4 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility funds due to rule of law concerns, and regaining full access to Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs. Furthermore, Hungary must demonstrate genuine commitment to judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and media pluralism. On the geopolitical front, a crucial step for Hungary to regain trust is abandoning its role in blocking EU positions, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia, and presenting a credible plan for energy diversification away from Russian sources. Overall, the EU expects a shift towards a more predictable, institutionally reformed, and transparent state to restore financial and political confidence.
