MEPs assess the EU Court of Justice’s decision on the request to annul the regulation that links disbursement of EU funds with respect for the rule of law. The budget conditionality regulation aims to protect EU funds from being misused by national governments that breach the rule of law. It entered into force on 1 January 2021. On 11 March 2021, Poland and Hungary challenged the regulation in the EU Court of Justice. On 2 December 2021, the Advocate-General issued an opinion stating that actions by Hungary and Poland against the rules on conditionality, which protect the European Union’s budget, should be dismissed by the Court.

debate

plenary session

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

HAHN, Johannes (AT)

MUREŞAN, Siegfried (EPP, RO)

CSEH, Katalin (Renew, HU)

JAKI, Patryk (ECR, PL)

BEAUNE, Clément (FR)

The Rule of Law and the consequences of the ECJ ruling: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14246545/1645035098849_I218322Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs, This is a regulation that doesn't target any particular member state. It covers the EU member states as a whole. So it is up to the commission to carry out the necessary investigations and send the letters of formal notice if need be. Let me say that. As far as the council is concerned, as far as the presidency is concerned, we are ready to play the role that is required of us in this vital legislative work.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs, Never doubt our commitment. Referring to the commitment of the council and the presidency that I represent. We will defend the law. We will protect it, and we will make sure that all tools, including the new tool today will be mobilised.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We cannot make concessions when it comes to protecting both the union's financial interests and the founding values of the European Union. And we have a choice of tools to address both issues. The key is choosing the right tool for the specific problems we need to solve. I want to stress all our efforts here must be about solving problems.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We are currently managing the largest union budget that has ever been. Let me assure you that the commission is set to make make optimal use of all the tools at its disposal to protect the union budget and the union's financial interests against threats, actual or potential. And this, without losing time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Siegfried MURE&#350;AN (EPP, RO), We welcome it with a very large majority, with the majority of pro-European groups who believe in the rule of law. European funds, money from the people of Europe. For the people of Europe, this is money that has to be protected. It is money from from the people. For the people, it is not money for politicians or governments attacking the rule of law.This legislation confirmed today by the court is good for the people. It protects the money of the people. And citizens have to know that any politician who questions this legislation or who questions the rule of law conditionality intends to waive the rule of law. And here with home its own people.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), We don't want to see this money from the taxpayers going into the pockets of those who do not respect and who are undermining our shared values. The commission seems to be looking elsewhere and we've had this mechanism for a year and we're just encouraging the ongoing problem. We don't want the European Parliament to damage Hungary and Poland. On the contrary, we want people to continue having trust in the European Union because it means something to our European citizens. So Mr. Hollande, Mrs von der Leyen, please act now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Katalin CSEH (Renew, HU), We created Rule of Law mechanism together. We didn't let gaslighting controlling stop us and today we got a confirmation from the Court. So we don't want to hear anything more that President Von der Leynen needs to draft more guidelines or write some more informal letters. Being deeply concerned for the twentieth time is just not good enough. The Commission must not waste a single minute more and apply the mechanism right now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), Now you come back with the guidelines now, after this many months, power comes with responsibility and you are neglecting this responsibility. You are failing not only the duties that stem from the treaties, but you are failing millions of EU citizens that have put trust in you, that count on you and the European Parliament cannot and will not let that stand. We have to do something. And that will also mean, considering the postponement of the discharge of the Commission until you no longer fail the responsibility to protect this union and its citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Patryk JAKI (ECR, PL), Let's remind ourselves of about the dispute. We talk about politicising the selection of judges to the judiciary, but Poland has followed the model of Western Europe. If you take a look at the Spanish Parliament, they also appoint their judges in the same way as Poland and a similar situation in Germany. I would just like to remind you.

The Rule of Law and the consequences of the ECJ ruling: extracts from the debate

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