EU European Affairs Ministers could have an exchange of views, on 22 April, on the emergency measures taken by member states to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the controversial measures taken by the Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán.
While no formation of the General Affairs Council (GAC) was planned for April, the convening of a European summit on Thursday 23 April means that this ministerial meeting will be convened.
The agenda, which is expected to be confirmed on 20 April, remains very general and concerns the measures taken to respond to COVID-19.
Two weeks ago, however, several Member States wanted a General Affairs Council of the EU to be convened to take stock of the most controversial measures. This is the case of the countries that signed the declaration on Hungary and the risks to fundamental rights posed by these emergency measures (see EUROPE 12461/2), but they did not, however, sent a formal request. Other countries had indicated that they would question Hungary at a future GAC meeting.
According to one source, although the subject of the discussion remains to be clarified, "it cannot be excluded that Hungary will be mentioned".
When contacted, the Commission had not yet indicated, on Wednesday, whether it will take this opportunity to hold stock of its monitoring exercise of emergency measures taken by the Twenty-Seven. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)