CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2024
| Author | Lang, Peter Laszlo |
|---|---|
| Title | A New Chapter in the EU's Rule of Law Crisis: Unpacking the European Commission's Financial Conditionality Mechanisms Against Hungary |
| Summary | This paper explores five competing theories explaining the EU’s most recent policy stage responding to the rule of law crisis prompted by Hungary’s democratic backsliding. These hypotheses are based on the EU’s past inaction and their explanatory value is tested in a series of events regarding the Commission’s application of financial conditionality mechanisms over two years. Empirical evidence relies on eight interviews with Hungarian journalists who closely observe EU actions. The study finds that despite the supranationalization of rule of law policy and the Commission’s crucial role in applying material sanctions, the EU’s intergovernmental characteristics – specifically, the influence of member states and political deals resolving Hungary’s veto threats – primarily determine the Commission’s actions. Member states drive the EU’s more active response due to the increasing political salience of democratic backsliding and Hungary’s political isolation, caused by its Russian-friendly stance in the war in Ukraine. The paper concludes that while the European Parliament is the strongest advocate of Hungary’s punishment, its influence is only considered before election periods. Evidence from interviews demonstrates that the development of rule of law instruments does not explain the Commission’s actions. |
| Supervisor | Sitter, Nick |
| Department | Public Policy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2024/lang_peter.pdf |
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