Brussels, 18/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Hungarian Conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to take part in the European Parliament debate in Strasbourg on Tuesday 19 May on the situation in Hungary and on his ambiguous comments on the death penalty made at the end of April (see EUROPE 11306).
Orban's attendance at the debate was expected to be confirmed in the evening of Monday 18 May, the Parliament indicated, the final decision resting with its president, Martin Schulz.
On the plenary session agenda in Strasbourg is a debate on the political situation in Hungary, to be attended by European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans. The debate will consider statements by Orban on the death penalty and a questionnaire launched in the country on illegal immigration which is causing great controversy.
MEPs will not adopt a resolution following last week's rejection by the main political groups of any such plans. This will not be the first time that Orban will have met MEPs. In July 2013, he was invited by Parliament to explain a series of constitutional amendments which were felt to be anti-democratic (see EUROPE 10879). At least three resolutions have been passed by the Parliament in the last three years, all on the fundamental rights situation in Hungary. (Solenn Paulic)