The EU Has Lost Patience With PM Orbán. What Can It Do With Hungary Now?

Radio Schuman

Halfway through its six-month rotating presidency, rather than playing the honest broker, Budapest has blocked many files, including the ones on aid to Ukraine.

It further blocked a statement denouncing Moscow's media ban, and it voted against the EU’s plan to impose tariffs on electric vehicles.

It's unclear what exactly broke the camel's back, but one thing is certain: the EU has lost its patience with Hungary.

Yet on Tuesday, at a press conference ahead of this speech in Parliament, Orbán played the now-traditional martyr card at a press conference before his big speech in front of all MEPs, arguing that he's not the problem — it is Brussels that needs to change its strategy on Ukraine, migration and competitiveness.

So, what can the EU do now with Hungary? We ask Daniel Hegedüs, the German Marshall Fund's regional director for Central Europe.

Coming up on Wednesday’s EU agenda, Radio Schuman will dive into the latest developments on the G7's proposed $50 billion (€45 billion) loan to Ukraine — will we see further progress?

Over in Strasbourg, MEPs are set for a lively debate on several key issues, including a G20 proposal to tax the world’s wealthiest individuals, strengthening the security of Europe’s external borders, and ensuring decent and affordable housing for all citizens.

And lastly, have you ever wondered if MEPs get to skip the airport lines? Or what benefits do they have? Short answer: the European Parliament does not issue passports with diplomatic status for MEPs, but they can have a "laisser-passez" travel document when going on parliamentary business.

Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Paula Soler, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

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