Ahead of the special EU27 summit on Brexit that took place in Brussels on Saturday 29 April, the leaders of the European People's Party (EPP) asked Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for explanations regarding his illiberal initiatives that run counter to the European spirit.
On Wednesday, the European Commission opened an infringement procedure against Hungary for its law on the activities of foreign universities – a Hungarian initiative aimed directly at the Central European University (CEU) founded by billionaire George Soros (see EUROPE 11775). The Commission also has the Hungarian law on the transparency of universities in its sights, but this is at an earlier stage. In addition, the Commission was responding to the Stop Brussels questionnaire that was sent to all Hungarian households.
EPP wants CEU to remain open
Favouring dialogue to overcome differences between its members, the Christian-Democrat family questioned Orbán about these three developments. In a press release, EPP leader Joseph Daul said that after consulting civil society and the academic world, his party reached the conclusion that "dialogue was not enough".
"After a frank and open conversation" with Orbán, the EPP asked Orbán's party, Fidesz, to take all the necessary measures to come into line with the Commission's request. "We will not accept that any basic freedom be restrained, or that the rule of law be ignored (...) The EPP wants the Central European University to remain open", the EPP concludes.
Daul clearly explained that "first, Viktor Orbán heard the criticisms and, if I understand correctly, the Hungarian prime minister would be ready to review his position", German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated. She added: "what is important is the concrete results". Stronger still, the leader of the European Parliament's EPP Group, Manfred Weber from Germany, warned Orbán about the "consequences" that could result from his attitude.
Orbán tried to reassure his peers: "We have a legal dispute with the EU Commission, our talks will produce results, we’ll implement the final outcome".
But the question of excluding Fidesz from the EPP is not on the agenda. (Original version in French by Elodie Lamer with Pascal Hansens)