On Tuesday 25 June in Luxembourg, the European Affairs ministers of the EU27 held another hearing with Hungary under the ‘Article 7’ procedure of the Treaty on the violation of the principles of the rule of law. This was the 7th such exercise since the procedure was initiated in 2018.
While the discussion was serene and “fairly constructive”, according to Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib, the rising Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council unsurprisingly reiterated its criticism of a procedure that has become “political” and is being used as a means of putting pressure on the country to adopt certain legislation, according to Hungarian Minister János Bóka. “I hope that after the EU elections, the rhetoric and conflict-driven approach that has characterised this procedure will ease”, the Minister commented on arriving at the meeting.
According to one source, the discussion, which lasted around 2 hours, was fairly standard, with the Member States asking various questions about recent developments in the country, particularly judicial developments.
The Member States recognised that “certain efforts had been made by Hungary, particularly in the judicial field”, but that there were still a number of serious concerns regarding the defence of the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, the French Minister Delegate for Europe, Jean-Noël Barrot, told Agence Europe. And “it was therefore appropriate to maintain this procedure as it stands”.
“Most Member States have called on” Hungary to make additional efforts, the source added.
On her arrival in Luxembourg, the Vice-President of the Commission, Věra Jourová, pointed out the persistence of a series of observations concerning “the media, academic freedom and freedom of association” and called on the Hungarian Presidency to act as an “honest broker” and show a “professional” attitude.
For her part, the Belgian minister, Hadja Lahbib, said at the opening of the meeting that “still has shortcomings in terms of the rule of law, minority rights and the independence of the judiciary. The latest fines imposed by the European Commission are proof of this. A few days ago, it was barely €200 million and €1 million in penalty payments a day for non-compliance with a ruling of the European Court of Justice”.
But for the Minister, when the will is there, it is possible to get out of Article 7 very quickly, as Poland has managed to do. So, “that’s all we wish for Hungary: to apply the reforms and to emerge, perhaps even under their presidency which begins on 1 July, from this Article 7 procedure”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)