European Commission wants to tie subsidies to respect for European values, says Commission VP Jourová

To help the EU monitor the functioning of the rule of law in member states, the European Commission wants to tie subsidies in the upcoming long-term EU budget and the post-pandemic recovery plan to the respect for European values, Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová told the Czech News Agency.

She said that there already exists majority support for the proposal among member states, but a unanimous approval is hindered by Hungary and Poland. Both of these countries are currently under Brussels’ scrutiny for passing laws intervening in the freedom of NGOs, the media and courts.

"We need a working mechanism and not room for more empty declarations about how we value the rule of law, but do not respect the rules, Ms Jourová said, pointing to the process with the two states which has been dragging on for many years.