EU Can Withhold Funds From Hungary, Poland, Top Court Rules

EU Can Withhold Funds From Hungary, Poland, Top Court Rules
Judges preside over a hearing at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, on Nov. 27, 2018. Sylvain Plazy/AP Photo
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BRUSSELS—The European Union’s highest court said Wednesday that the 27-nation bloc can suspend support payments to member states if they breach rule of law principles.

The right-wing governments of Hungary and Poland, which had challenged the EU’s right to take such action, responded by arguing that the rule lacked a proper legal basis and would fundamentally interfere with their running of national business.