13 EU countries have so far applied the activation of the national emergency clause to exempt their defence spending from EU deficit rules. The countries which applied for the clause are Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.
France has not yet applied to activate the clause yet, but President Emmanuel Macron had already announced that France was to double its defence expenditure prior to the announcement of the ReArm Europe programme.
Originally, Hungary voted against this measure at the European Council, but is now enjoying its benefits. This measure was part of the ReArm Europe programme and is intended to encourage and ensure EU member-states are able to freely spend on their defence without any constraints. The defence expenditure is also intended to boost Europe’s defence industry.
This is also not the first time Hungary has reaped the benefits of European programs that it publicly criticised and voted against.
Newsroom
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