31
May
2023
Watch
Breaches of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds (debate)
Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, the reason for today’s debate was concerning and irritating signals that the Commission, Commissioner Hahn, was close to a deal with the Orbán government. However, I think we should make it very clear that there is no deal, because there are no negotiations. There is an assessment of the compliance with the criteria, which incidentally concern the rule of law and not accountancy. So let us stop spreading rumours and issuing signals that there is a deal forthcoming. With regard to the presidency, the Member States themselves decide on the Council Presidency, obviously, but as usual they have not dared to take any steps because the European Council is the place where the rule of law goes to die. But this House decides if and how to cooperate with the Council Presidency. I suggest that we strip the presidency to the bone. No glitter and glamour. We shall not provide Orbán with a podium for his propaganda. Instead, we should give a podium to those Hungarians who have been silenced by Orbán – NGOs, independent media and academics. Colleagues, let us make it the EU Presidency of the Hungarian people and not the Presidency of Orbán!