Poland, Hungary Mayors Seek Way Around Potential EU Budget Veto
- Warsaw, Budapest mayors will write to European Commission head
- Local authorities are worried about losing access to EU funds
The mayors of Warsaw and Budapest are looking to salvage access to European Union funding in case EU leaders reach a deal over the bloc’s funding that precludes Poland and Hungary, according to a Polish media report.
Rafal Trzaskowski and Gergely Karacsony will send a letter to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday to dissociate the capitals from the central governments, broadcaster TVN said, adding the document is being signed by other cities as well. TVN said the letter includes an appeal to allow local authorities to have access to EU funding even if Poland and Hungary aren’t part of the final agreement over 1.8 trillion euros ($2.2 trillion) of stimulus in the bloc’s new coronavirus aid package and its 2021-2027 budget.