Hungary's new government faces hurdles to secure €16.2 billion in EU defence loans under SAFE programme (euobserver.com)

• Hungary only EU member whose SAFE loan plan remains unapproved by Commission.
• €16.2 billion allocated to Hungary for defence modernisation.
• New PM Magyar must resubmit plan to avoid channelling funds to Fidesz oligarchs.
• Economy weak; without SAFE, defence spending may drop below 2% GDP.

"Hungary remains the only EU member state whose plan for SAFE rearmament loans has not been approved by the European Commission. The new government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar must resubmit a revised plan, as the previous Orbán administration's proposal was tailored to benefit oligarchs close to Fidesz. Securing the €16.2 billion is crucial for Hungary's armed forces modernization, given the country's weak economy and NATO's 3.5% GDP defence spending target. Political obstacles have been eased after Magyar's deal with von der Leyen, but technical and corruption concerns persist. Failure to access the loans may force Hungary to cut defence spending below 2% of GDP."