The European Commission said it is scrutinising Hungary's request for €17.4 billion under the European Union's Security Action For Europe (SAFE) programme due to the country's poor record on public procurement transparency and conflicts of interest, with MEPs warning that the money could be diverted for the political benefit of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary is the only EU country where EU funds are suspended due to the high risk of corruption. Out of the €27 billion foreseen for Hungary in this budgetary period, €17 billion is suspended, with payments conditional on reforms to the public sector.
