EU Ministers Continue Pressure on Hungary
(MENAFN) On Tuesday, ministers responsible for European affairs resolved to sustain the European Union's Article 7 procedure against Hungary due to continued concerns regarding its "rule of law breaches."
The decision reflects the bloc’s ongoing unease over the state of democracy and legal standards in the country.
Following the General Affairs Council meeting—where the potential suspension of Hungary’s voting privileges within the EU was a topic—European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, emphasized that the situation has not improved.
“Today's hearing highlighted that significant concerns persist, and regrettably, they have been aggravated...The Article 7 procedure should be maintained as long as the issues that triggered it remain unresolved," he stated.
McGrath reiterated the Commission’s concerns regarding a proposed Hungarian transparency law intended to curtail external financing of civil society groups and media outlets.
He warned that the measure could represent a "serious breach" of core EU values.
He further asserted that the Commission would take decisive action if necessary, saying, “If the law is adopted, the (European) Commission will not hesitate to use the tools at its disposal to ensure that EU law is safeguarded.”
He also mentioned that they are considering pursuing "interim measures" if warranted.
Emphasizing their unwavering dedication to uphold democratic values, McGrath concluded, “We will act decisively and without hesitation whenever necessary to protect these fundamental principles.”
The Article 7 procedure against Hungary was initiated by the European Parliament in 2018, primarily due to apprehensions over judicial independence and press freedom.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
