The parliament adopted on Wednesday a resolution denouncing serious deficiencies in Hungary, especially given the upcoming European elections and the hand-over of the EU Presidency to Hungary on 1 July.
The resolution, adopted with 399 votes in favour, 117 against, and 28 abstentions, is the final resolution in the current legislative term assessing the democracy in Hungary.
The text relates to deficiencies in the justice system, anti-corruption and conflicts of interest, media freedom, fundamental rights, the constitutional and electoral system, the functioning of civil society, the protection of the EU’s financial interests, and compliance with the single market principles.
Among others, the parliament condemns the adoption of the Protection of National Sovereignty Act and the establishment of the so-called Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO). The new office "violates standards of democracy [...] and breaches multiple EU laws”, the parliament says.
MEPs ask the Commission to request the European Court of Justice for interim measures to immediately suspend the law, as it among others affects the principle of free and fair elections. On this topic, the European Commission shares the parliament’s concerns as it decided in February to open an infringement procedure against the legislation in Hungary.
The latest general elections in Hungary took place in April 2022. According to the election observers, the elections were marred by the absence of a level playing field and Hungary needs to bring election rules in line with international standards. The Hungarian government has also the habit of carrying out anti-EU national consultations ahead of the European Elections.
As regards the Commission’s decision last December to release of up to €10.2 billion of frozen EU funds to Hungary, the parliament is at odds with the Commission. The decision was seen as a concession to Hungarian pressure to use its veto in the Council and has prompted the parliament to appeal to the European Court of Justice.
The recent leaked revelations by Hungary’s former minister of justice should lead the Commission to revoke the disbursement of EU funds, the text states, referring to media reports on allegations of corruption related to former justice minister Judit Varga and her ex-husband.
However, the Commission does not intend to reconsider the payment decision. A Commission spokesperson told The Brussels Times on Thursday that the Commission considers the decision correct. The Commission was legally bound to disburse the money within a certain time limit after Hungary had submitted the evidence required.
MEPs stress that it is incomprehensible to release funds citing improvements to the independence of the judiciary, while funds covered by different EU laws remain blocked due to ongoing deficiencies in the same field.
Last but not the least, the Parliament is also worried that the Hungarian government will not be able to credibly fulfil its duties in the Presidency of the Council in the second half of 2024, in particular in view of on-going article 7 procedures against Hungary and on possible sanctions of the country in the Council.
The Belgian EU Presidency has until now been reluctant in activating the article 7 procedure. Its ambassador to the EU, when presenting Belgium’s Presidency programme last December, did not exclude that other EU member states could take over some of Hungary’s functions during its EU Presidency.
M. Apelblat
The Brussels Times
