Brussels, 13/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 12 January, the European People's Party (EPP) lost its reserve over the Hungarian draft law - also controversial - for voting rights to be granted to minorities of Hungarian origin living abroad. The draft causes annoyance particularly to Slovenia, where the Hungarian minority makes up 10% of its population. It was the subject of criticism by the leader of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul of France, who said it was out of the question for voting rights to be granted to Hungarians of Hungarian origin holding another nationality, Slovakian or Romanian for example, explained Daul's spokesman, Antoine Ripoll. On the other hand, according to Ripoll, it is another matter in the case of dual nationality and, on this point, Daul did not comment. At any rate, Ripoll said, Daul has not so far called for the government's draft law to be withdrawn, thus moderating remarks by Joseph Daul reported by AFP on Wednesday. “On the question of a citizen of Hungarian origin but of another nationality being able to vote in Hungary, our answer is in the negative” but, “on situations of dual nationality, things are different”, the spokesman said.
The above response illustrates the group's embarrassment regarding the highly controversial beginnings of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, already attacked on its new media law and questioned on the exhibition that it is currently organising in the Council buildings. The exhibition, among other things, gives a map of the Habsburg Empire in 1848. According to a spokesman of the Presidency, this should not be considered as “nostalgia for the Great Hungary”. (S.P./transl.jl)