EU Releases €4.2B Cohesion Funds to Hungary, Lifts Erasmus/Horizon Restrictions

The EU General Affairs Council approved the release of €4.2 billion in cohesion funds to Hungary and lifted restrictions on Hungarian foundation universities' participation in Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, following a European Commission proposal on September 23. This marks a significant reversal of the EU's previous rule-of-law conditionality measures against Budapest, signaling a thaw in EU-Hungary relations. The move is notable as it comes amid broader EU debates on democratic backsliding and could set a precedent for other member states under similar scrutiny.