MEPs renewed their criticism of the Hungarian and Polish governments on Wednesday 15 January as they debated a resolution, that will be put to the vote on Thursday 16 January, on the state of the current 'Article 7' procedures on rule of law against Hungary and Poland.
In a debate held with the Vice-President responsible for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, the elected representatives first focused their criticism on Hungary, which was initially intended to be the only item on the agenda before the procedure against Poland was added.
Many MEPs called for strong EU action against Fidesz leader Viktor Orbán, who must now "be punished", as his compatriot Csaba Molnár (S&D) said, starting with financial punishment. Many elected representatives painted a disturbing picture of the rule of law in the country, both for NGOs and the media. Some have fought against these claims, such as Frenchman François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP), who stressed that there were still "media critical" of the government in the country and that countries such as Malta escaped the 'Article 7' procedure despite the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
On Poland, the EU official recalled that the Commission had just requested interim measures from the EU Court of Justice to stop the activities of the new Disciplinary Chamber (see EUROPE 12403/23). The debate was also heated, particularly between politically opposed Polish Members.
In the draft resolution, MEPs deplore the fact that the Parliament is not, in their view, treated fairly by the Council in the procedure on Hungary, unlike the Commission which, as far as Poland is concerned, is regularly invited to the Council.
The text, supported by the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL families, deplores the fact that "the hearings have not yet led to significant progress by the two Member States concerned". EUROPE will continue to follow this story. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)