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The European Parliament voted on a resolution criticizing Hungary on Thursday. Right-wing MEPs say the EP is overstepping its powers.
Following a plenary debate on Wednesday on the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds, the text was adopted on Thursday (442 for, 144 against, 33 abstentions), according to the EP’s statement.
MEPs expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have further deteriorated due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government,” and despite parliament’s activation of the Article 7 mechanism.
The resolution questions how Hungary will be able to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU credibly in 2024, “given its lack of compliance with EU law and values, and the principle of sincere cooperation.” Therefore, it asks the Council to find a proper solution and recalls that parliament could take “appropriate measures” if such a solution is not found.
Hungary is a free and independent nation- we will not let a few unbridled left-wing extremists drag us into war or tell us how to raise our children,”
Balázs Hidvéghi, Fidesz MEP said during the debate on Wednesday.
“The so-called champions of Europeanism and the rule of law are now trying to take the presidency of the Council away from Hungary, but they are the ones who are blatantly violating EU law and the treaty,” Balázs Hidvéghi argued.
He added that those attacking Hungary do not like the fact that the country is going its own way and dares to say no to Brussels when a proposal is wrong or harmful.
In a letter to the European Commission’s president and commissioners, MEPs of the European Conservatives and Reformists, Identity and Democracy, European People’s Party, and the non-aligned members of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party recalled that recently, the leaders of five political groups in the European Parliament wrote to the Commission, once again expressing their concern about certain legislative developments in Hungary, alleging serious untruths.
“In their letter, they expressed their political expectation that the European Commission should not, under any circumstances grant Hungary access to the resources of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), citing certain planned legislative amendments in Hungary as a pretext,” they added.
We firmly call on the European Commission to abide by the procedural rules laid down in the Regulation and reject the European Parliament’s attempt to interfere, which seeks to influence the European Commission to make a decision in line with its political position,”
the MEPs stressed.
Featured photo via the European Parliament