Media: European Parliament considers Hungary unfit for EU presidency

Numerous violations of EU law by Hungary make it unsuitable for the rotating EU presidency in 2024. MEPs are planning to adopt a resolution to this effect next week.

This was reported by Euractiv. The draft resolution was supported by the main parties of the European Parliament. Hungary is to lead the EU Council from July 2024, less than a month after the next European elections.

The country, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, is responsible for shaping negotiations on EU laws. The resolution "questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task reliably in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty establishing the European Union, as well as the principle of sincere cooperation".

The resolution calls on EU governments to "find an appropriate solution as soon as possible" and "recalls that the European Parliament may take appropriate measures if no such solution is found".

At the same time, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs accused MEPs of "not liking Hungary's peacekeeping position and trying to drag us into the conflict". Kovacs was referring to Hungary's position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has often led Budapest to slow down sanctions against Russia and oppose military and humanitarian aid.

The resolution also accuses the government of Viktor Orban of "systemic corruption" and "condemns the anti-European communication campaigns of the Hungarian government, which are part of the government's strategy to divert attention from its failure to comply with the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union".

Prime Minister Orban's government has been in almost constant conflict with EU institutions in recent years, primarily over disputes over the independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, civil society and the rule of law.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- On May 23, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Ukraine allegedly will not be able to defeat Russia in the war, and further assistance will allegedly only lead to new victims. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that Orban had absolved Russia of responsibility for its aggression.

- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó got into a spat during a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Burbock criticised Szijjártó for refusing to approve additional aid to Ukraine.

- On May 19, Hungary blocked another package of EU sanctions against Russia. This may delay the final decision and require further negotiations with Hungary and other EU countries.

- Budapest declared its readiness to provide a platform for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and supported China's "peace plan".

- The UK imposed new sanctions against Russia over human rights violations. The restrictions affected FSB agents and investigators for the arrest of British-Russian citizen Vladimir Kara-Murza.

- Szijjártó even travelled to China to discuss "efforts for peace".

- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that he did not understand the nature of the war in Ukraine and supported all "peace plans" at once.

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