Opposition MEP Accuses Gov’t of Lying About EU Funding for Hungary

  • 31 Aug 2022 11:15 AM
  • Hungary Matters
Opposition MEP Accuses Gov’t of Lying About EU Funding for Hungary
Despite claims that Hungary is not receiving monies from the EU, the government has not even submitted a proper and detailed plan to Brussels, only “sent a letter of communication”, Socialist Party MEP István Ujhelyi said yesterday.

He told an online press conference that a letter he had received from EC President Ursula von der Leyen on August 24 showed that the Hungarian government had so far not taken any official steps to draw down loans available from the European Union recovery fund.

The government has been “continually arm wrestling” with European institutions in order to acquire EU funding, he said. At first, the government “arrogantly refused” the available loans, arguing that Hungary did not need it.

In March, however, following the acceleration of inflation and the weakening of the forint, the prime minister’s press chief said that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had informed Von der Leyen in a letter that Hungary wanted to gain access to the loans, Ujhelyi said.

“This, however, has not been followed up by any official steps,” he said. Ujhelyi called on the government to “talk sincerely”, adding that “while you point the finger for everything at European institutions, you can neither govern nor tell the truth”.

MTI Photo

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

  • Rival Budapest Marches to Mark '56 Revolution Anniversary

    Rival Budapest Marches to Mark '56 Revolution Anniversary

    • 22 Oct 2025 12:34 PM

    This year’s anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution will be marked by two rival marches on October 23, reflecting political divisions in the country. The governing Fidesz party and the opposition Tisza Party are each organizing separate processions.

  • Banned Pécs Pride Held in Hungary

    Banned Pécs Pride Held in Hungary

    • 6 Oct 2025 6:37 AM

    The fifth Pécs Pride parade was held under the slogan "We will not bow to fear!" in the southern Hungarian city on Saturday, the closing day of the Freedom of my Identity human rights festival.