Magdalena Chodownik is an award-winning journalist based in Warsaw, Poland.

Poland: Liberal coalition attempts to unfreeze EU funds

22 Nov 2023  |  ru.euronews.com  |  Russian  |  EU Funds

Following the liberal coalition's parliamentary majority in Poland, there is hope for the reversal of controversial judicial changes made by the Law and Justice Party. Brussels requires an independent judiciary to unfreeze EU funds. Judge Łukasz Mrozek from the Association of Polish Judges and Anna-Maria Zukowska from the New Left Party discuss steps towards depoliticizing the National Judicial Council. Poland received the first 5 of 60 billion euros from EU funds aimed at reducing dependency on Russian fossil fuels. Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński calls for the immediate allocation of funds, stating that the withholding of funds is politically motivated without legal basis. The European Commission recommended allocating 5 billion euros to Poland, separate from funds contingent on judicial system changes.

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EU Funds Polish Politics Judicial Reform

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Hello and welcome to my profile !

To introduce myself : 

I have an extensive experience in media production, living and working across four continents for a wide range of public and private entities.

As a multimedia producer and reporter, I have :

- reported on European social and ...

What funding do EU countries get to help Ukrainian refugees?

18 May 2022  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  EU Funding

The European Union has allocated billions in unused Cohesion Funds, including finance from the European Social Fund and the European Fund for the Most Deprived, to support Ukrainian refugees. This funding can be used for temporary accommodation, food, clothing, psychological counselling, medical care, and education. Additionally, €10 billion from REACT-EU pandemic recovery funds is available. The EU's CARE regulation allows member states to use unspent money from the 2014-2020 budget, with an estimated total of €17 billion unlocked. Member states can claim back expenses since the onset of Russia's military action in Ukraine, with €3.5 billion of REACT-EU funds already distributed, prioritizing countries hosting the most refugees.

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Cohesion Funds EU Funding Ukrainian Refugees

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Experienced journalist able to do lives and reporting for print, radio and tv. I have reported for media outlets from more than fifteen countries, including for ARTE/ZDF, BBC News, The Guardian, Süddeutsche Zeitung, The Sunday Times, NRC Handelsblad, Deutsche Welle en De Groene Amsterdammer.

Investigation into misuse of millions in EU funds in Romania

23 Jun 2021  |  NRC  |  Dutch  |  EU Funds Misuse

The European Commission and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) are investigating allegations of misuse of EU funds intended for the Danube Delta in Romania. The investigation follows a report revealing that millions of euros meant for local development and environmental protection were diverted to local politicians and businesses. The European Commission has frozen the remaining funds pending the investigation's outcome. Dutch Members of the European Parliament have expressed dissatisfaction with the Commission's responses, prompting a request for a hearing. The funds were supposed to improve living standards in the Danube Delta and protect its ecology, but much of the money went to companies outside the region, with only a small portion allocated to conservation projects.

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EU Funds Misuse Fraud Investigation Environmental Protection

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Center-Left

Political View

Miroslava Germanova is a journalist based in Bratislava, Slovakia.

With EU Rescue Funds, Slovakia Eyes Economic Reinvention

20 Jul 2020  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  EU Rescue Funds

Slovakia faces a significant economic downturn exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a forecasted 10% shrink in GDP and rising unemployment. The country is eyeing an eight-billion-euro EU rescue package as a chance for economic reinvention, focusing on reducing dependency on the automotive industry and investing in clean energy and other sectors. However, Slovakia's poor track record in spending EU funds and existing corruption issues pose challenges. The political landscape is shifting, with rising support for radical movements and declining trust in traditional institutions. The government plans to outline a strategy for the EU funds by autumn, aiming to use most of the money by 2022.

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EU Rescue Funds Economic Downturn COVID-19 Pandemic

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Center-Right

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Tim Gosling is a journalist, editor and analyst based in the Czech Republic. He covers politics, business, current affairs and football across Central & Eastern Europe. Regular bylines for Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Politico, The Times. He provides political and economic analysis ...

Slovakia. The threat of freezing EU funds does not deter Fico

20 Sept 2024  |  www.dw.com  |  Polish  |  EU Funds

The European Commission is considering freezing over 15 billion euros in EU funds allocated to Slovakia due to concerns about the rule of law under Prime Minister Robert Fico's leadership. Fico, who returned to power in 2023, has been criticized for dismantling special prosecution and police units and altering the criminal code, raising fears of a democratic crisis. Despite Fico's assurances to the EU, the Commission remains cautious, drawing parallels with Hungary's Viktor Orbán. The potential freezing of funds poses a significant challenge to Slovakia's budget, heavily reliant on EU investments. Fico's political maneuvers, aimed at ensuring immunity for himself and allies, may further strain relations with the EU.

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EU Funds Slovak Politics Rule of Law

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Center-Left

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I'm a Warsaw-based journalist, producer, fixer, photographer and translator working in Central Europe and the Balkans currently mainly for Der Spiegel, one of Europe's top-notch magazines. 

Over the years, I have travelled throughout these regions extensively for multiple other news organizations, ...

Is Orban holding out an olive branch to EPP?

07 Jul 2022  |  EUobserver  |  English  |  EU Funds and Rule of Law

Viktor Orban and his party Fidesz are facing unprecedented isolation in Europe following their departure from the European People's Party (EPP) over human rights concerns. Efforts to mend ties with the EPP have failed, and Orban's attempts to form a far-right bloc in the European Parliament have not succeeded. Hungary's relationship with Poland's ruling PiS party has also been strained due to differing stances on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hungary's first female president, Katalin Novak, visited Warsaw to repair relations. The European Court of Justice's ruling tying EU funds to democratic standards has blocked EU budget money for Hungary, complicating Orban's position. His resistance to EU sanctions against Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has also caused friction with EU leaders. Orban's foreign policy is challenged by the ongoing war in Ukraine, and there seems to be no easy path to restoring his previous status in European politics.

Tags:

EU Sanctions EU Funds and Rule of Law European Politics Hungary's Diplomatic Relations

I am a journalist based in Budapest, Hungary. I have been covering political, social and cultural events and making feature stories for more than 20 years for radios, televisions and online newspapers.

Hungarian mayors battle government over finances

05 Mar 2021  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  EU Funds

Opposition mayors in Hungary, led by Budapest's Gergely Karácsony, are challenging the national government's financial policies, accusing it of discriminating against opposition-led cities through austerity measures and unequal distribution of EU funds. The mayors, supported by Transparency International, highlight corruption and misuse of EU funds, with claims that government-aligned cities receive preferential treatment. The opposition seeks direct access to EU funds and greater involvement in national recovery plans, while the government maintains its stance on financial redistribution. The situation underscores deep political tensions and calls for democratic reforms.

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EU Funds Political Tensions Corruption

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Left

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Freelance journalist covering humanitarian crises, international justice, politics, human rights and underreported social issues in Africa and Easter Europe. 
Regular reporter & contributor to The Wall Street Journal. 

My work has also been featured in: BBC, Euronews, Al Jazeera English, The ...

Poland’s New Leader Seeks to Unlock Billions in EU Aid

15 Dec 2023  |  BNN  |  English  |  EU Funds

Poland's new Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has formally requested the European Union to release nearly €60 billion in funds that were previously blocked due to concerns over the rule of law in Poland. Tusk's pro-EU alliance, which won the October election, aims to restore relations with European allies and address democratic backsliding. Poland is seeking an initial €6.9 billion to cope with the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, will assess the request, which could take at least two months. Tusk is confident about implementing legal reforms necessary to meet EU conditions, despite potential vetoes from President Andrzej Duda. The EU has already approved €5.1 billion in separate funds for Poland.

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EU Funds Rule of Law Judiciary Independence Pandemic Relief War in Ukraine

Eszter Zalan is a Hungarian journalist working for Brussels-based news portal EUobserver specialising in European politics, focusing on populism and Brexit. Before immersing herself into the "EU bubble", Eszter reported on conflict and war zones from Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and other places ...

MEPs urge Orbán to act to unblock EU money

17 May 2023  |  euobserver.com  |  English  |  EU Funds

MEPs responsible for overseeing EU funds expressed significant concerns about Hungary's management of these funds and urged Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government to implement necessary reforms to release suspended EU funds. German centre-right MEP Monika Hohlmeier emphasized that the goal is to ensure the funds are properly spent in Hungary.

Tags:

EU Funds Hungary Government Reforms

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Center-Right

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