Hungary's National Assembly has approved a package of rule-of-law and transparency reforms clearing the way for the release of approximately €16.4 billion in frozen European Union cohesion and recovery funds, money that had been held back since the tenure of former prime minister Viktor Orbán, subject to European Commission confirmation that all agreed conditions have been met. Lawmakers passed the measures by 142 votes to 39, with three abstentions, during a two-day extraordinary session in which more than 30 legal amendments were adopted.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar described the vote as a significant milestone, saying: "Today we have taken a big step towards a functional and humane Hungary." He criticised Orbán's Fidesz party for opposing the release of funds equivalent to roughly 13 per cent of the national budget.
The parliamentary vote follows a political agreement reached in late May between Magyar and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, under which release of the funds was made conditional on full adoption and implementation of the agreed reforms.
The legislative package includes asset-declaration requirements for public officials, backed by penalties intended to deter breaches, together with an expanded remit for the Integrity Authority, which will verify the declarations. Separate measures target university foundations that expanded under the Orbán government, when Fidesz-aligned figures held control of two-thirds of the country's higher-education institutions and the sector was excluded from EU programmes over corruption concerns. Under the new rules, the assets of these foundations would revert to state ownership, with academic autonomy restored, according to the government.
Parliament also approved a constitutional amendment permitting the removal of President Tamás Sulyok, who was appointed under Orbán and has declined to resign. Magyar said a vote for a new president would take place on August 20.
Hungary must satisfy every condition agreed with Brussels by the end of August or risk forfeiting the funds. The European Commission has indicated that 67 reforms and 50 investments under the recovery plan still require updating to reflect the revised terms.
Following the vote, Magyar hosted the first extraordinary summit of the Visegrád Group, bringing together Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic, in Gödöllő. A government spokesman said discussions centred on regional energy, road and rail links, part of a wider push by Magyar for closer Central European cooperation.
Disbursement of the funds remains conditional on Hungary completing the outstanding reforms and investments the Commission has flagged for updating, with the end-of-August deadline determining whether the €16.4 billion — equivalent to roughly 13 per cent of the national budget — becomes available or is forfeited.
