The European Parliament once again condemned Viktor Orban’s Hungary. The MPs wanted the EU funds allocated to the country to be frozen until the rule of law was respected, and they also asked Budapest not to be entrusted with the rotating EU presidency with the fate of the country having six months of Union leadership. The second half of 2024, just after the next European elections.
The condemnation came with a decision that was accepted with 442 votes, 144 against, and 33 abstentions, in which the Brussels General Assembly criticized the “intentional and systematic efforts of the government” contrary to European values, despite the intervention of the article mechanism. While deputies of the 7th Italian League of Italy Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and Matteo Salvini’s League deputies took sides in favor of the Magyar leader, Forza Italia deputies abstained from the draft, except Massimiliano Salini, who said no. In Hungary, EU funds “serve Orban to strengthen his power and fill his circle with money, while also silencing the opposition”, denounced Green Member of the European Parliament Rosa D’Amato.
Taranto policy also voted in favor of the resolution, with the intent to protect “the interests of Italian taxpayers”, recalling that “Hungary is what is jargonally called a ‘net beneficiary’ of EU funds”, that is, a country. He underlines that “more money comes from Brussels than it pays into the EU coffers” and that “an outstanding share comes precisely from taxes for us Italians”. In the resolution, lawmakers also expressed their concerns about the passing of laws, which they believed lacked adequate parliamentary scrutiny and public participation, and what they saw as “a state of alarm, abuse of whistleblower protection to undermine the rights of LGBT+ people.” and violations of freedom of expression and teachers’ social and employment rights.
The approved text underlines the important role of the Presidency of the European Council in advancing legislation, maintaining the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with other institutions. The Assembly is therefore wondering how Hungary can convincingly fulfill this task in 2024, “given its disregard for EU law and values and the principle of faithful cooperation”. Parliament therefore asks the Council to find an appropriate solution and reminds that Parliament can take countermeasures.
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Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
