The European Parliament questions the “credibility” of Hungary to lead the rotating presidency of the EU

2023-05-29 06:00:23

Can a country that violates the rule of law and fundamental values ​​of the EUand whose European funds have been frozen, assume the rotating biannual presidency of the European Union? The question will be on the table this Wednesday in the umpteenth debate on the violation of the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary that will maintain the full European Parliament. A resolution agreed upon by the main groups in the Chamber questions the credibility of the Government of Viktor Orban to assume that “role” –Hungary is scheduled to hold the presidency in the second half of 2024– and urges the Council to find an “adequate solution as soon as possible” because, otherwise, the European Parliament could adopt “measures appropriate”.

The draft, which is not binding, has the support of five political groups —European People’s Party, Social Democrats, Liberals, Greens and European Left-– of the camera. The motion threatens to provoke a new schism between Brussels and Budapest and delve into the conflict that they have had for years, one year after the next european elections which will be held between June 6 and 9, just three weeks before the date on which Hungary must assume the reins of the European biannual presidency.

It is a position that, since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 and the election of a permanent president of the European Council, has lost influence. Even so, it continues to play a “key” role since, for six months, it has the responsibility of organizing the European agenda, giving priority to some debates over others and negotiating inter-institutional agreements on behalf of the rest of the European governments. A role that forces you to act like a “impartial intermediary”.

The question had never been asked until now nor never a member state has been removed from this responsibility. He continuous, consistent pulse that Orban maintains with the European institutions has led the great families of the European Parliament to implicitly launch the suggestion. “The whole debate seems quite strange considering that the European Parliament has no power to cancel an incoming Council presidency,” he said. Thu Nguyenanalista del ‘think tank’ Jacques Delors.

systematic deterioration

MEPs condemn the “deliberate and systematic efforts” of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values ​​of the EU, as well as its anti-European communication campaigns and express their “deep concern” about the “deterioration of the rule of law and the situation of fundamental rights in Hungary” since September last year. They also criticize the “repeated and abusive” invocation of the “state of danger” the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and the freedom of expressionthe restriction of the statute of teachers and the violation of their social and labor rights as well as discriminatory practices in different areas.

The draft resolution also reproaches the Council – the institution in which governments are represented – for its failure to achieve “significant progress” in the article 7 procedurehe nuclear button which allows a Member State to be sanctioned for violating the rights and values ​​of the EU and which can lead to the loss of the right to vote in the Council. MEPs activated this procedure for the first time in 2018 but without any consequences so far, so they urge the Council to address their recommendations.

“Any further delay in said action would amount to a violation of the principle of the rule of law by the Council itself, with long-lasting and potentially damaging consequences,” says the draft, which recalls on this point the importance of the role of the Council presidency when it comes to promoting European legislation, guaranteeing the continuity of the agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other EU institutions. “How will Hungary be able to carry out this task credibly in 2024, in view of its failure to comply with EU law and the values ​​enshrined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty, as well as the principle of sincere cooperation?”, ask the MEPs, who urge to find “an adequate solution as soon as possible” because, otherwise. the “Parliament could take the appropriate measures”.

Budapest newspaper

As might be expected, the motion has been received with absolute coldness in Budapest. “Their justification is the same old hackneyed accusation that Hungary violates the basic principles of the EU and therefore cannot hold the presidency. But we know the real reason: they do not like Hungary’s pro-peace position and seek to lead us into conflict,” the Hungarian government spokesman warned Thursday. Zoltan Kovacstaking the initiative of the European Parliament to the field of the Russian war in Ukraine. “Hungary is a full member of the EU. He already held the rotating presidency of the European Council and will do so again in 2024 ”, settled Kovacs. “We will not let an opportunity like this be taken away from Hungary,” added the Minister of Justice, Judit Varga.

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“Although it is not expressly provided for, the possibility of postponing the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the Union can be one of the most effective approaches to make Hungary comply with its obligations in terms of the rule of law”, maintains the professor of European law, Alberto Alemmanowhich suggests the possibility that spain y Belgiumwho share the trio of presidencies with Hungary, take charge of the debates on the rule of law and the suspension of article 7, a possibility that some countries have already used in the past, such as the case of Denmark in 2012 that he delegated to Cyprus the debates on Defense, given that at that time the country did not participate in this European policy by choice.

“We do not comment on resolutions that have not been adopted. The list of countries that preside over the EU is an exclusive competence of the Council and it is not the responsibility of the European Commission to rule on that decision,” Eric Mamer, spokesman for the presidency, said on Friday. Ursula von der Leyenavoiding the debate. “We work constructively and professionally with each Council presidency. The job of the presidency is to focus on European points of interest, to play a mediating role in Council discussions. It is all I can say ”, he added. The resolution also “expresses its dissatisfaction that Parliament often has to find out from the press or other sources what the Commission proposes to accept or accepts from the Hungarian authorities” and expects Brussels to report quickly and regularly on any developments. .