Budapest decided on the evening of Thursday 2 April to join the declaration on emergency measures and respect for democratic principles initiated by 16 Member States (see EUROPE 12460/20), thus rendering it completely meaningless.
Directed against Budapest and the measures adopted on 30 March, the text did not explicitly name Hungary, a loophole exploited by Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga, who tweeted sarcastically about a statement that “felt so empty without us”.
A step that was not much appreciated by the other signatories. It “has not escaped anyone’s notice that our vigilance is being exercised in particular on the situation in Hungary”, commented a diplomatic source, who assured that questions will be put to Hungary.
However, the means of action remain limited: although a large number of signatories would like the General Affairs Council to deal with the subject, no meeting is scheduled for April. On Thursday evening, the Croatian Presidency had not received a specific request for an extraordinary meeting.
In the meantime, Viktor Orbán has also written to the Secretary-General of the EPP, Antonio López-Istúriz White. In a letter revealed by the Hungarian media, he expressed his irritation at the controversy and said he was ready to discuss it “as soon as the pandemic is over”. But, for the moment, “I don't have time for that!”, he said. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)