Slovakia protesting plan to tie EU subsidies to democratic standards

Slovakia and Hungary are protesting the European Commission’s plan to tie EU budget subsidies to democratic standards. Both countries, which have been criticized over rule-of-law breaches, weak anti-corruption efforts and political interference in media, risk losing significant funding for the 2028-34 period. Hungary is already at risk of losing €18bn, with the EC freezing funds over violations of EU norms. Slovakia has not yet faced similar sanctions.

(trend.sk, politico.eu)