Hungary's incoming prime minister Peter Magyar said EU funding will arrive soon following productive talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The resolution of this financial deadlock is critical because the funds were frozen due to disputes with the previous government. Unblocking these billions of euros is necessary for Hungary to meet a disbursement deadline in summer 2026 [2].
Magyar said the discussions were "extremely constructive and successful" [2]. The process began with meetings in Brussels on April 10, 2026, followed by a call with von der Leyen on April 14 [2, 3]. These interactions established a framework for the incoming administration to address the EU's concerns regarding rule-of-law reforms.
Von der Leyen emphasized the urgency of the situation during the April 14 call. "There is swift work to be done to introduce reforms needed for unfreezing EU funding," von der Leyen said [3].
Magyar continued the diplomatic push with early talks starting in Budapest on April 17 [3]. He said there is no time to waste in the efforts to secure the money. The funding in question consists of billions of euros [1] that have remained inaccessible while the EU monitored Hungary's legislative and judicial changes.
Both leaders have signaled a willingness to accelerate the reform process to ensure the funds are released before the summer deadline [3]. The shift in leadership in Budapest appears to have opened a new window for negotiation with Brussels, a stark contrast to the friction that characterized the previous administration's relationship with the European Commission.
“"The talks were extremely constructive and successful."”
The willingness of the incoming Hungarian government to engage in 'swift work' on reforms suggests a pivot in Budapest's foreign policy. By prioritizing the unblocking of EU funds, Magyar is attempting to stabilize the national economy and mend ties with the European Commission, potentially ending years of diplomatic isolation and financial penalties imposed by Brussels.
