The European Parliament (EP) has defined Hungary’s form of government as “elective autocracy” and decided that the country is “no longer democratically governed” and that it systemically threatens the values of the EU.
The aforementioned draft resolution was accepted at the EP General Assembly with 433 votes in favor, 123 against and 28 abstentions.
Concerns were conveyed on many issues, from the functioning of the electoral system in the country to the independence of the judiciary, and said, “The situation in Hungary has not been adequately addressed for several years. Many concerns remain. Meanwhile, many new issues have emerged that adversely affect the EU’s image, effectiveness and credibility.” it was said.
It was also stated in the resolution that “the blocking of restrictive measures against Russia in the Council constitutes a security problem for the EU”.
In a written statement from the AP regarding the decision, it was stated that “the right to academic freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of association, equal treatment including LGBTIQ rights, and the rights of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees as well as minorities are problematic”.
In the statement, MP Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield said: “The results of this report are clear and irreversible. Hungary is no longer democratic. Given the alarming rate at which the rule of law has declined in Hungary, it was more urgent than ever for Parliament to adopt this stance.” assessment was included.
The AP’s decision is not binding. In this way, the EP calls on the European Council to “acknowledge that Hungary is at risk of gravely violating the values on which the Union is founded”.
PROBLEMS BETWEEN EU AND HUNGARY
Hungary has been criticized by the EU for some time on the functioning of its constitutional and electoral system, the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, corruption and restriction of the media.
On 15 July, the EU Commission filed a lawsuit against Hungary in the EU Court of Justice for violation of press freedom and sexual discrimination.
Budapest has committed to establishing an anti-corruption agency after the European Union suspended billions of euros in financial aid to Hungary on the grounds that it violated the “rule of law” rules and used EU funds improperly.
* Images of the news are provided by Unsplash and Associated Press.