Hungarian PM claims EU win but rule-of-law dispute not over

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s prime minister says his country won a “very important battle” at the European Union summit this week, where the bloc’s leaders decided an seven-year budget and coronavirus recovery. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, however, also acknowledged Friday that his efforts to fully separate the disbursement of EU funds from rule of law considerations were still being resisted in Brussels. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that “protecting our budget and the respect for the rule of law go hand in hand.” Orban’s right-wing populist government is preparing its supporters for new confrontations with the EU over its perceived democratic deficits.