MEPs approved by 426 votes to 133 with 37 abstentions on Thursday a resolution calling on EU Member States to make a “real commitment” to the so-called ‘Article 7’ procedures of the EU Treaty, aimed at violations of the Rule of law in Poland and Hungary, and to make “real progress” to defend European values.
After having discussed the issue on 3 May with the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders (see EUROPE 12944/3), the MEPs insist that the hearings, the next of which will take place on 23 May for Hungary, “must produce results”.
The text calls for a more consistent, transparent and firm approach to hearings, which should also be organised in a regular, structured and open manner.
The hearings should be followed by concrete recommendations, with clear deadlines for the Member States concerned.
The Parliament also wants to be as well informed as possible about the content of these hearings conducted by the EU Council, to which it is still not invited.
The MEPs also stress “the immediate need to put in place a comprehensive monitoring mechanism for the Union’s values,” although the Council of the EU and the European Commission refuse “to enter into negotiations with the Parliament to develop such an instrument”.
The Parliament also reiterates its call on the European Commission not to release the stimulus money for these two countries until they have addressed all concerns raised by the European Commission and the EU Court of Justice.
Link to the text: https://aeur.eu/f/1is (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)