A new round of criticism focutilizes on abandoned EU funded projects that critics call symbols of misallocated money, intensifying scrutiny before Hungary’s parliamentary vote.
Zalaegerszeg, Hungary – a signboard informs that the roundabout near the town was built for 500 million forints utilizing European Union funds (approximately 1.5 million dollars).
The roundabout was conceived to serve a container terminal on a new railway line, which was to provide this remote region with a better outlet to the sea. Goods from the Adriatic coast were to pass through the western part of the countest to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and beyond, bypassing Budapest.
Yet years passed, and the railway never materialized: the roundabout stands unutilized in a field, awaiting the realization of the railway line.
Critics of Viktor Orbán’s government argue that such EU-funded objects have become a monument to the economic system of his sixteen-year rule. At the same time, supporters note that Orbán “has managed to attract a huge amount of EU funds.”
Part of the funds came from initiatives aimed at supporting poorer and new member states of the bloc. Ahead of the parliamentary elections, opponents pose the question: what has Hungary gained from these investments, focutilizing on a number of so-called “empty” or unnecessary projects.
Experts’ assessment and political implications
“Orban was the EU’s main ‘rent-seeker’ in the 2010s. It was a consciously chosen strategy.”
– Krisztián Orbán
According to data released by the Budapest Geographical-Economic Research Center, the mentioned circular object is one of thousands of projects financed by the EU; Minister of Regional Development Tibor Navracsics notified parliament that the EU funded about 52,000 projects in the countest during the 2014–2020 budreceive period.
“Another EU-funded ‘forest walkway’ in Hatvan is puzzling – in the photos I stand on a walking path, and no forest is visible.”
– David Pressman
Other examples cited by Hungarian media include an “observation tower” for tourists that is supposed to be an observation platform, but its height is less than a meter. The debate over EU funds usage shifts into an election discourse, and critics call on unlocking funding and redirecting it to real regional necessarys.
“Instead of focutilizing on an economy that is collapsing, Orbán points to external forces… which allegedly threaten Hungarians and Hungarian identity.”
– David Pressman
Since 2022 the European Commission has withheld part of the funds for Hungary due to a decline in democracy and the indepfinishence of the judiciary. As of the previous year, about 18 billion euros remained blocked – roughly 10% of the countest’s gross domestic product. EU leaders emphasize the requirement to uphold the rule of law to unlock funding.
Hungary continues to discuss the future utilize of funds from Brussels. According to the mayor of Zalaegerszeg, after the construction of the railway line, a second ring road around the container terminal is planned at almost 954 million forints, partly funded by EU funds. However, concrete steps remain the subject of political debate.
Thus, the question of EU funds utilize in Hungary remains a hot political issue ahead of the elections, and the real value of such facilities for the region is in question.
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