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Prime Minister Orbán (photo from 2020): "Non-respect for law and values" of the EU

Photo: John Thys / dpa

The European Parliament is raising concerns about whether Hungary should take over the EU presidency in the summer of 2024. It is doubtful whether the country will be able to "credibly fulfil this task in view of the EU's non-respect for law and values", according to a parliamentary resolution.

The resolution was adopted with 442 votes in favour, 144 against and 33 abstaining. It is not binding, which is why it is considered unlikely that Hungary could be deprived of its assumption of the EU presidency planned for July 2024.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is increasingly autocratic and an avowed opponent of the EU. Most recently, for example, the country blocked EU military aid to Ukraine and further sanctions against Russia.

Among other things, the resolution speaks of "systemic corruption" in Hungary. In addition, the government is denounced by decree as well as the threat to the rights of teachers or LGBT+ people. The abbreviation LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other gender identities.

"Deep concern about the deterioration of the rule of law"

"Once again, the European Parliament unanimously expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of the rule of law situation in Hungary," said the responsible rapporteur Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens). In view of these problems, Parliament called on EU member states to "find an appropriate solution as soon as possible". Otherwise, the parliament could also "take appropriate measures".

The EU is currently blocking around €30 billion in EU funds earmarked for Hungary – including €12 billion in aid and preferential loans from the Corona recovery fund. It justifies this by saying that the judiciary and supervisory bodies under Prime Minister Orbán are not sufficiently independent to ensure that EU funds are used correctly.

On Tuesday, Minister of State for Europe Anna Lührmann (Greens) said she had "doubts about the extent to which Hungary can succeed in leading a successful Council presidency". Hungary is "currently isolated in the EU because of problems with the rule of law, which are really serious". In addition, the country repeatedly shows a lack of support for Ukraine in the Russian war of aggression.

In the EU, a different country holds the presidency of the Council of Ministers every six months. So far, it has never happened that any of the 27 Member States have been ignored. Only Great Britain had renounced the presidency in 2017 due to the decision to leave the EU.

Poland sees "road to the abyss"

Opposition to the Parliament's resolution came immediately from Poland. "It is a clear violation of European rules in their most important form, the treaties," said Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. If you destroy the way the EU is managed, it is "not just a road to nowhere, but a road to the abyss," said the conservative prime minister.

fek/AFP/Reuters/dpa