Poland and Hungary have both become critics of the European Union with both threatening to veto against the budget and coronavirus rescue package. The two states have threatened to block the vote on the mammoth €1.8trillion (£1.6trillion) budget and coronavirus recovery package for member states next month. Commenting on the future of the two states within the bloc, one diplomat admitted the idea of leaving the bloc has now become more of a possibility for states.
The diplomat told Politico: “It starts to look like the governments in Hungary and Poland have finally decided to turn their backs on the EU and the other member states.
“If they continue to block the EU budget and recovery package, less and less people would actually miss them.”
Both Hungary and Poland have expressed their concern over the link of the EU budget to rule of law proceedings.
Education minister, Przemysław Czarnek, hit out at the EU for tightening laws such as those around abortion.
He told Polish television: “In Europe, we’ve reached a level worse than the Soviet Union and communism.”
In Poland, the ruling party has introduced a series of reforms which has threatened the independence of judges.
Due to this, the EU triggered Article 7 of the Treaty of Europe which allows the bloc to take out proceedings if a member state threatens its values.
PiS MEP Patryk Jaki, also hit out at Germany for its apparent control in the bloc.
He said: “Germany can’t lecture us about rule of law.
“Germany hasn’t paid even €1 for its previous lessons of rule of law in Poland.”
Germany currently holds the temporary presidency of the EU and was one of the leading figures during the recent budget negotiations.
Chancellor, Angela Merkel, put forward plans to link the budget and rescue package to the current proceedings in both Hungary and Poland.
Hungary too has clashed with the EU with prime minister, Viktor Orban being a staunch critic of Brussels.
After speaking to the German Chancellor, Mr Orban said: “I had to tell her that if this regulation drafted by the European parliament and the German presidency were to be accepted – it requires two-thirds majority so we cannot block this – then we have made Soviet Union out of the EU.
“This is not what we wanted, we did not create the EU for having a second Soviet Union.”
EU leaders will meet for a European summit next month in order to vote on the budget and rescue package.
Although states agreed the package during the summer, there is now concern in Brussels both Hungary and Poland may throw negotiations into crisis next month.
One diplomat said: “We’re back in crisis.”
