Brussels, 02/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 30 March, Hungary sent its answers to the European Commission regarding the two reasoned opinions sent to Budapest on 7 March on the subjects of the independence of the data protection authority and judges' retirement ages. The Hungarian government has also replied to administrative letters regarding the independence of the judiciary and the Hungarian Central Bank. These replies were received on 30 March, according to a spokesperson to José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. This Commission spokesperson, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, welcomed the speed with which Hungary had accomplished this task (the deadline was set for 10 April), and indicated that the Commission would examine Hungary's answers as soon as possible.
As regards the laws which were the subject of the reasoned opinions, Hungary had been asked to provide the Commission with additional explanations of the mechanisms making it possible to apply an exemption to the rule that judges retire at the age of 62, notably an assessment on an individual basis, which did not convince the Commission. As regards the data authority, the Commission wanted clarifications on the possibility for the executive to fire the supervisor at random. On the independence of the judiciary, which was simply the subject of an administrative letter, Hungary was asked to give explanations on the powers of the Chair of the National Judicial Council, who has the authority to decide alone on the place of trial and to transfer judges against their will. On 19 March, the Venice commission/Council of Europe issued an opinion in which it expressed concern at precisely these extraordinarily high levels of authority conferred on this chair.
Lastly, Hungary was also required to provide the Commission with additional elements of proof regarding the independence of its Central Bank, particularly on the issue of the upper salary limit of the bank's governor. The negotiations on the financial aid, which has been put at €15-20 billion, that Hungary wishes to request from the EU and the IMF, will depend on these discussions of the independence of the Hungarian Central Bank. (SP/transl.fl)