EU’s top judge warns of corruption threat to democracy in apparent dig at Orban
The EU’s chief judge has warned that corruption and political interference in national courts pose a “serious threat” to the bloc’s democratic foundations, Euractiv reports. His remarks are widely seen as being aimed at Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban.
Speaking at a symposium in Brussels on Monday, European Court of Justice president Koen Lenaerts condemned the misuse of EU funds, saying they must not “serve to enrich an oligarchy surrounding a ruler or a ruling party”. His comments drew parallels with Hungary, where critics accuse Orban of building a corrupt patronage system.
Lenaerts also urged that all countries receiving EU funds should be required to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), noting that in some states, EU anti-fraud probes “end up in the wastebasket”.
Rule-of-law concerns
Hungary has refused to join the EPPO despite lacking a formal opt-out, leaving EU investigators reliant on Budapest’s prosecutors, who rarely act on findings of fraud.
The intervention comes as Hungary faces elections next spring and continues to clash with Brussels over rule-of-law concerns that have led to billions in frozen EU funds.
Meanwhile, Orban’s Fidesz party is losing ground to a new centre-right movement led by former ally Peter Magyar, who is posing the strongest challenge to his rule in over a decade.
Lenaerts’ remarks in Brussels followed a similar address this month in Nicosia, where he spoke about “safeguarding democratic principles against evolving threats”.
President of the European Court of Justice Koen Lenaerts delivers a speech at a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament © BELGA PHOTO THIERRY ROGE
Related news
