Hungary chooses, Brussels looks for a solution for ‘tormentor’ Orbán
Today’s parliamentary elections in Hungary are also enjoyed with more than usual interest in Brussels. It’s no secret that most EU diplomats and officials would rather see Prime Minister Viktor Orbán go than come.
For years, his policy has been a thorn in their side. “Why don’t you leave the European Union?”, Mark Rutte snapped at his Hungarian Noge colleague last June, when the anti-gay law was introduced above Orbán. That law stipulates, among other things, that no ‘advertising’ may be made of homosexuality to minors.
This law is just one of many in Hungary that Brussels is very concerned about. Corruption with EU funds and the curtailment of the independent media and judiciary are also a large majority of EU lawsuits. The European Commission has gone to the European Court of Justice on several occasions, alleging that Hungary is acting in violation of EU law.
The rule of law is insufficiently in order
The Commission has also still not approved the corona recovery plan. published is 7 billion euros that the country is entitled to to absorb the economic blows of the corona crisis. But Brussels fears that the EU money will end up with Orbán’s friends and therefore definitively approve Budapest’s plans.
In addition, Brussels started an Article 7 procedure against the country. This is a serious measure that is taken if a legal state has insufficient information on order. In theory, these criminal proceedings could lead to an underlying being deprived of the right to vote in the EU. But with Poland’s support, there is no further progress in that effort to focus on the rule of law.
Hanging out with Poland
Poland and spent a lot of time together in recent years. Side by side they interpreted the conservative voice from the oral part of the EU. “They constantly threaten to veto,” many EU diplomats invariably lament when it comes to introducing EU legislation. “As soon as the word ‘gender’ is written somewhere, they want to stop the legislation.”
Hungary and Poland also filed a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg last year. They wanted to avoid being cut short on the many billions they receive from Brussels. Since last year, the European Union has had the option of cutting subsidies to countries that do not comply with European agreements on the rule of law. So far this has not happened, despite repeated urging from the European Parliament.
The European Commission previously said it did not want to intervene before the elections in Hungary, because that could be seen as Brussels elections. But when the latter are over and become prime minister again, many expect the European Commission to implement the instrument.