MEPs voted 397 to 158 for a draft law to freeze EU cash if a government was found to be eroding democratic values. In Poland EU funds make up 61% of public investment, in Hungary 55% and Romania 45%. The plans would empower Brussels, aided by independent experts, to judge whether a government was breaking the rule of law, although parliament and EU governments would have four weeks to stop funds being frozen. In an attempt not to isolate the local population, EU funds for NGOs and academic researchers would continue to flow. Member states have been weighing up less ambitious proposals, but will not make their next move until EU leaders take a view.

Source: The Guardian January 17, 2019 14:05 UTC