Magyar Returns to Von der Leyen to Unblock €17 Billion
Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar traveled to Brussels to unlock approximately €17 billion in EU funds frozen under Viktor Orbán's tenure, which requires meeting 27 conditions.
Magyar arrived in the Belgian capital as the figure the EU establishment actively promoted to replace Orbán in Budapest. His Tisza party joined the European People’s Party (EPP), the same political family led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which welcomed the newcomers partly to establish influence in Hungary and create a mechanism to remove Orbán from power.
That objective was achieved in April when Tisza ended Orbán’s 16-year hold on government. Von der Leyen responded by declaring that Hungary had chosen Europe.
Magyar’s electoral success also eliminates what Brussels viewed as its most persistent obstacle to policy implementation. For years, Orbán used vetoes or delaying tactics to block EU decisions on Ukraine, sanctions packages, and immigration measures. His exit removes Budapest as a roadblock to much of the Brussels agenda.
The new Prime Minister has not pledged full alignment with EU priorities, however. Tisza opposes the EU migration pact and has expressed caution regarding accelerated accession for Ukraine. Magyar has indicated he would maintain Hungary’s veto on that issue, at least in the immediate term.
The terms of any reset remain firmly in Brussels’ control. Release of the €17 billion depends entirely on the Commission, which has imposed 27 conditions Budapest must satisfy first. These focus primarily on anti-corruption measures, judicial independence, and transparency in the use of EU funds.
In 2022, the Commission suspended €7.6 billion in cohesion funding—representing one-third of Hungary’s allocation—citing rule-of-law deficiencies in public procurement practices. An additional €10.4 billion from the post-COVID recovery fund, NextGenerationEU, remains blocked on similar grounds.
The timetable is also set by Brussels. Under recovery fund regulations, Hungary faces forfeiture of the money unless it meets every milestone by August 31, 2026. The Commission then has until December to evaluate any payment request.
Magyar, who made securing these funds his government’s primary commitment, is scheduled to meet von der Leyen on May 29. Commission sources confirmed the meeting but declined to specify whether releasing the frozen funds would be the focus.
His two-day visit began on May 28 with discussions with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Magyar outlined the agenda on social media, stating that all parties were working to recover the billions owed to Hungary.
Orbán, who labeled his rival a Brussels puppet throughout the campaign, conceded defeat in April but retained leadership of the Fidesz party.
With information from Brussels Signal
