Commissioner McGrath is visiting Hungary to discuss advancing rule of law with the new government.
His visit comes off the back of an agreement between European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, to unlock more than €16 billion in frozen EU funds.
Magyar swept to power back in April with a huge majority that allows him to make constitutional changes and deconstruct Viktor Orbán’s regime.
Von der Leyen warned that the money will not be released until those reforms have been put in place and some of the timelines are extremely tight.
She also said the government had more to do in rolling back Orbán’s anti-LGBT rules, the so-called ‘child protection’ laws.
Ireland’s European Commissioner, Michael McGrath, is due to meet a long list of new ministers who have barely had a chance to get their feet under their desks.
As European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, McGrath is expected to play a central role in ensuring the new government follows through with its promises.
“The visit presents an opportunity to support Hungary on advancing in practice with key rule of law reforms, building on Friday’s meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar,” the European Commission said in a statement.
Commissioner McGrath is due to meet the Hungarian Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and chair of the Committee on Legislation, Richárd Rák, as well as with the committee chairs on Judicial and Constitutional Affairs, István Hantosi; on Foreign Affairs, Márton Hajdu; and on EU affairs, Éva Ildikó Sopov.
He will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister/Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, Bálint Ruff; the Minister of Justice, Márta Görög; and the Minister for Social Relations and Culture in charge of media, Zoltán Tarr.
“Discussions will focus on the legislative reform agenda, including measures to strengthen the rule of law, further protect fundamental rights, and safeguard media freedom,” the European Commission said.