Hungarian presidency of the European Parliament is questionable

On Thursday, June 1, the vast majority of MEPs expressed doubt that Hungary is capable of serving as the chairman of the Council EUby adopting the relevant resolution.

The functions of the Presidency of the Council of the EU should be transferred to Hungary by rotation in the second half of 2024, but the European Parliament expresses concern about its future presidency, writes Deutsche Welle.

The EP called on EU member states to find a “suitable solution” due to the deteriorating rule of law situation in Hungary. Otherwise, the European Parliament can also take appropriate measures, the resolution says.

With fundamental rights violations on the rise in Hungary and with the EU freezing billions of euros destined for Budapest, there are doubts that Hungary will be able to take on this important task, the document says. Speaker Gwendolyn Delbos-Corfield stated:

“Once again, the European Parliament unanimously expresses its deep concern about the deteriorating situation with the rule of law in Hungary.”

In recent years, laws have been adopted in Hungary without sufficient parliamentary oversight, the resolution states, in particular. Hungarian justice minister Judit Varga criticized the move, pointing out that Budapest’s preparations for the EU presidency are already well under way.

The European Union is blocking about 30 billion euros intended for Hungary, including 12 billion euros in aid and soft loans from the European Pandemic Recovery Fund. Brussels justifies the blocking on the grounds that the Hungarian judiciary and supervisory authorities are not sufficiently independent to ensure the proper use of EU funds.

Source link