Why has the EU stripped Hungary of €1bn? The latest confrontation explained

Orbán himself has reacted angrily to this loss of funds and has threatened to use his national veto more aggressively — which he has threatened to do in the past

Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbán has reacted angrily to this loss of funds and has threatened to use his national veto more aggressively — which he has threatened to do in the past. Hungary is in an economically fragile position so it is not clear how much of a confrontation he can afford. Picture: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

The European Commission has stripped €1.04bn in aid from Hungary in the latest phase of an ongoing political struggle with its errant member state.

The amount of money lost is a blow for Hungary, but the decision also has wider economic and geopolitical implications. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has consistently flouted EU standards and democratic principles. The question now is whether he has run out of options.