Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Today marks the first appearance in Brussels of Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, following the departure of his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, who was perceived as obstructing progress. Observers note, "Here is Péter Magyar, the rising star of European politics." The new Hungarian prime minister is heading to Brussels for high-level talks, where he will be received not as a problem to be managed, but as a potential partner. According to a report published by Playbook, the European edition of Politico, Magyar will be received this afternoon by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a gesture described by an EU official as a goodwill gesture, signaling a break with Orbán's disruptive policies. Magyar will also meet with European Council President António Costa at 6:00 PM.

At the top of the priority list? Unfreezing approximately €10 billion in frozen EU funds—part of Hungary's allocation for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Budapest could lose these funds permanently at the end of August if it fails to meet rule-of-law requirements related to corruption, judicial independence, and democratic standards.

At the top of the priority list? Unfreezing some €10 billion in frozen EU funds—part of Hungary’s COVID-19 recovery allocation. Budapest could lose these funds permanently at the end of August if it fails to meet rule-of-law requirements related to corruption, judicial independence, and democratic standards.

Magár is seeking a comprehensive restructuring, including reducing the daily fines imposed on Hungary for failing to comply with asylum rules, securing loans under the EU’s SAFE program, and finding a way to reinstate Hungarian universities to the Erasmus program after their exclusion due to concerns about academic freedom.

The plan: The new Hungarian prime minister will work as quickly as possible, postponing more complex constitutional amendments. Passing new laws will not be a problem for Magár, as his Tesa party holds a two-thirds majority in parliament. The challenge lies in implementing the reforms in a way that satisfies the European Commission within a tight timeframe. To meet the deadline, Tesa’s party intends to submit a revised national recovery plan to the Commission by the end of May, according to sources familiar with the preparations.

A repeat or a new idea? Some in Brussels (including supporters of the EU’s executive branch) describe the meeting with the prime minister-elect as unprecedented. Yet von der Leyen hosted Donald Tusk in October 2023, just ten days after the Polish elections and before he officially took office. Like Magyar, Tusk promised to reverse the democratic backsliding in his country. How did things go? Brussels allocated funds to Poland in 2024 in response to reform pledges that subsequently faltered. The EU may be more cautious this time.

First, in Strasbourg: Von der Leyen goes directly to the meeting with Magyar from the European Parliament, where she will outline the EU’s position on the Middle East war and its implications for energy and fertilizer markets. No major surprises are expected... Existing measures are likely to be reintroduced: emergency energy tools, a relaxation of restrictions on state aid, and the EU's "accelerated" initiative to encourage domestic fuel production. The most notable event will probably be the attendance of enthusiastic MEPs, bringing with them a host of grievances.