German compromise on releasing EU funds 'caves in to Viktor Orbán'

Concerned MEPs say definition of rule of law narrowed to unblock Covid recovery money

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Germany has been accused of caving into Viktor Orban over the control of EU funds, as German diplomats attempt to settle a row that threatens to hold up billions of coronavirus recovery funds.

European Union leaders had agreed a 1.8tn (1.63 tn) financial package, consisting of a 750bn coronavirus recovery fund and a 1.074tn budget for 2021-27, at an epic four-day summit in July but turning that into legal texts that command the support of the European parliament has led to further disputes.