The issue arose when the Commission unblocked €10.2 billion in EU funds set aside for Budapest which had been frozen due to human rights concerns.

The funds were blocked as a result of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s threats to block aid to Ukraine at an EU summit. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s choice to unfreeze the funds was not viewed so positively by MEPs, who stated she was giving in to Orbán’s blackmail.

“We believe we have a solid case, as the Commission has contradicted itself on whether Hungary is respecting the rule of law,” MEP Daniel Freund told Playbook.

The decision to sue the Commission is none other than “a sign to the Commission president that the rule of law can’t be traded for deals with Orbán,” claimed Freund.

Political group leaders are set to meet Thursday to give the final green light to President Roberta Metsola to take the Commission to court before a March 25 deadline. Along with the leaders of the S&D, Greens, Left and liberals, EPP leader Manfred Weber will vote in favor of the move, officials told Playbook.

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