The European Commission announced on Tuesday (5 April) that it will trigger a conditionality mechanism linking EU funds to the rule of law, just days after Hungary's general election saw Prime Minister Viktor Orban secure a fourth consecutive term.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs on Tuesday that EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn had informed the Hungarian authorities that the European executive will trigger the so-called conditionality mechanism.

The mechanism, if implemented, could see countries with systemic rule of law problems lose out on EU funds - however, the process will likely take months to complete.