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🇸🇪 Sweden /Elections & Politics

Hungary's new government races to reform and unlock EU funds within weeks

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Hungary's new government, led by Péter Magyar, faces a tight deadline to restore democratic foundations and unlock frozen EU funds.
  • The government aims to cleanse state institutions of officials loyal to the previous Viktor Orbán regime, a process criticized for potential lack of due process.
  • International attention is high, with visits from foreign ministers, as Hungary seeks to regain trust and access significant EU financial aid.

Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar faces immense pressure to dismantle the previous government's structures and restore democratic norms within weeks. His party, Tisza, secured a landslide victory in April, promising a democratic reset. Now, with a strong parliamentary majority, Magyar has the power to reshape the constitution but also a critical deadline: by August, key democratic institutions must be re-established to unfreeze hundreds of billions of euros in EU funding.

But we are not quite there yet.

— Márta PardaviChair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, commenting on the progress of reforms after the election.

Márta Pardavi, chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, cautions against premature celebration. "We are not quite there yet," she stated, emphasizing the need for improvements across all sectors, not just select areas. The urgency is palpable, driven by the economic struggles of many Hungarians who expect rapid progress. Pardavi believes EU funding is crucial for Magyar's reform agenda, suggesting that "if he offers freedoms but not greater prosperity, then it will be difficult." She anticipates Magyar needs the EU financing as soon as possible.

If he offers freedoms but not greater prosperity, then it will be difficult. My gut feeling is that he needs the EU financing as soon as possible.

— Márta PardaviCommenting on the economic expectations tied to the new government's reforms and the importance of EU funding.

The government's stated goal is to purge state-owned companies, courts, and agencies of officials loyal to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Hungary is currently ranked as the most corrupt country in the EU, with wealth concentrated among a select group. However, Pardavi notes the potential for these purges to mirror Orbán's own justifications for his actions against remnants of the communist past. "Somewhere this appetite for change needs to end," she commented, highlighting the delicate balance between necessary reform and potential overreach.

Somewhere this appetite for change needs to end.

— Márta PardaviExpressing concern about the potential for overreach during the government's reform and cleansing process.

In a charm offensive, Magyar's government is hosting dignitaries from critical EU nations, including the foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Sweden. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard recently visited Budapest, finding a quiet atmosphere in the ministry buildings, with many officials having departed. "I feel great expectations, but also great hopefulness. This government wants to..." Stenergard began, her statement cut short in the provided text, hinting at the significant international scrutiny and cautious optimism surrounding Hungary's new political direction.

I feel great expectations, but also great hopefulness. This government wants to...

— Maria Malmer StenergardSwedish Foreign Minister, expressing her feelings during a visit to Budapest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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