EU Court rejects lawsuits from six Hungarian universities

The Court of Justice of the European Union has rejected lawsuits brought by six Hungarian universities against a European Council decision. The decision had prohibited public interest trusts (KEKVs) and entities maintained by them from entering into new financial obligations with the European Union.

The universities—Debreceni, Óbudai, University of Veterinary Medicine, Semmelweis, Miskolci, and Dunaújváros—argued that the Council lacked the authority to impose such restrictions and that the measure violated principles of proportionality and academic freedom. They contended that the institutions had not committed rule-of-law violations and that there was no link between rule-of-law concerns and the impact on the EU budget.

The Court ruled that the Council acted within its competence, exercising its exclusive authority over the establishment and implementation of the EU budget rather than its authority over education or research. The Court noted that the Council provided sufficient justification for the measure, citing concerns that high-ranking officials and politicians could be appointed to the governing bodies of these trusts.