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Brussels suddenly "softens" on Orban

2026-02-17 21:02:57Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The European Commission is softening its criticism of Hungary's Viktor Orbán and may even provide new EU funds to his illiberal government ahead of elections that threaten to unseat the bloc's longest-serving prime minister.

Several people familiar with the situation said EU officials did not want to be seen as interfering in the election or giving Orbán more “ammunition” in his campaign against Brussels.

Polls suggest Orbán could lose the April 12 vote, with the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, leading Orbán's Fidesz party by about 10 points. Tisza had also called on EU institutions to show restraint during the campaign, the sources said.

In a speech on Sunday, Magyar promised to strengthen Hungary's position in the EU. "Hungary's place is in Europe, not only because we need Europe, but also because Europe needs us," he said.

The Commission was already being cautious in its public communications on Hungary and concerns about the rule of law. Some €2.4 billion in new funds could be disbursed to Orbán's government before the elections, despite recent concerns.

"Brussels is defending itself"

“Months before such a historic and crucial election… they came to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to do nothing,” said a Hungarian official. “The commission is hedging its bets, which is normal.”

An EU diplomat added: “It is wise that the Commission is not making any massive announcements to the Hungarians, so as not to risk being portrayed as interfering in the elections.”

Orbán has long been a thorn in the side of the EU, drawing closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposing military aid to Ukraine, as well as its bid to join the bloc.

Support from the MAGA movement

In his anti-EU tirades, Orbán has received support from US President Donald Trump's MAGA movement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Hungary this Monday in a show of support for Orbán's government. Next month, Hungary will host the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Trump is expected to deliver a message.

The Commission's position has been further complicated by the EU's highest court, which issued a legal opinion last week that questioned a 2023 decision to unlock 10 billion euros for Budapest, aimed at overcoming Orbán's veto on aid to Ukraine.

“Brussels is threatening Hungary through the European Court of Justice because we are not paying Ukraine,” said Hungary’s EU minister, János Bóka.

Around 17 billion euros in EU funds for Budapest remain frozen due to concerns over discrimination and the independence of the judiciary. The Commission has also launched an investigation into allegations that the Hungarian government sought to recruit EU officials as spies.

The defense funding dilemma

Some politicians fear that delaying decisions from Brussels sends the wrong message. Hungary is set to receive 16 billion euros in defense funding under the EU's main joint arms procurement program, known as SAFE. If the funding plan is approved, Budapest would receive the first tranche of about 2.4 billion euros.

“Giving this money [to Orbán] would be absolutely absurd,” said Micha? Wawrykiewicz, an MEP from the European People’s Party (EPP) group, the same group that the Tisza party belongs to.

However, two people familiar with the proceedings warned that even holding the Safe funds could be perceived as interference in the electoral process. A spokesman for the Commission said that “no decision has yet been made” regarding these funds.


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