EU Report: Hungary continues to violate massively the rule of law
Transgressions exist in Hungary, according to Vice-President Vera Jourova's statements, in all four pillars of the Rule of Law: in the Judiciary system, in measures against Corruption, in Press Freedom, and in the Separation of Powers. The human rights violations are "systematic," emphasized the Commission official, who wished to remain anonymous.
Last year, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders identified "significant deviations from the Rule of Law" in the country. Consequently, the EU initiated various procedures against Hungary in recent years and froze billions in funding.
Hungary also causes concern in the EU's support for Ukraine during the Russian aggression war. Orban provoked EU partners at the beginning of the Presidency in early July with a self-proclaimed "Peace Mission." He visited, among others, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Many EU Foreign Ministers criticized this harshly at a Monday meeting. German Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) accused Orban of "Ego Trips." EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell moved a planned Ministerial meeting from Budapest to Brussels, scheduled for late August.
The EU-Report, released by Vice-President Veronica Jourová, highlights transgressions in Hungary's adherence to the Rule of Law, specifically in areas like judiciary, corruption, press freedom, and separation of powers. Despite the EU's identification of significant Rule of Law deviations by Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders last year, Hungary continues to receive criticism for its actions, such as Orban's self-proclaimed "Peace Mission" to Russia and the U.S., which has raised concerns among EU Foreign Ministers.
