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EU flags in Brussels: Member states could be reduced in future EU funds
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Michael Kappeler / dpa
EU countries are threatened with cutting EU funds if they violate the rule of law.
Government representatives from EU countries and the European Parliament have agreed on such a procedure.
This was confirmed by MPs and the German EU Council Presidency after around three weeks of negotiations in Brussels.
The new mechanism could make it possible for the first time in the history of the European Union to financially punish disregard for fundamental EU values.
Specifically, this should be the case, for example, if the lack of independence of the courts in a recipient state enables or clearly promotes the misuse of EU funds.
Hungary and Poland in particular have recently been repeatedly accused of expanding the government's influence on the judiciary.
The two countries strictly reject the rule of law mechanism and are already threatening to block important EU decisions.
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