Orban wants to limit the power of the European-global parliament

Orban said the European Parliament has proven to be a “dead end” in terms of the standards of European democracy. He referred to the model of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the international institution from Strasbourg which should not be confused with the European Union.

The parliaments of the member states of the Council of Europe send their representatives to that assembly. Orban spoke on Independence Day, the day Hungary celebrates the departure of the last Soviet troops in the summer of 1991.

European Parliament President David Sassoli vehemently rejected Orban via Twitter. “Only those who do not like democracy think of dismantling parliaments.”

Criminal Procedure

Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice saw no flaws in the way the European Parliament launched criminal proceedings against Hungary for violating European values.

Hungary had appealed to the court in protest of the decision by which the European Parliament initiated the procedure under Article 7 of the European Treaty in 2018. It can be opened when there is a clear risk of serious violations of democratic principles in a member state.

Article 7 is the most far-reaching means in European treaties to protect democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in member states. May result in suspension of voting rights. Earlier, the European Commission also launched such a measure against Poland. However, both measures have been on hold for years because member states cannot agree on further steps.

Hungary under fire

Hungary has recently been criticized for legislative changes made by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling conservative party Fidesz last week to ban the “promotion” of homosexuality or gender change to minors. According to the NGOs, the law is comparable to a Russian law that criminalizes any act of homosexual “propaganda” targeting young people.

Orban is not only constantly criticized for his views. On Saturday, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said that freedom of expression is a personal freedom that does not belong to media companies. Jansa is a friend of Urban.

Orban said the European Parliament has proven to be a “dead end” in terms of the standards of European democracy. He referred to the model of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the international institution from Strasbourg which should not be confused with the European Union. The parliaments of the member states of the Council of Europe send their representatives to that assembly. Orbán spoke on Independence Day, the day Hungary celebrates the departure of the last Soviet troops in the summer of 1991. European Parliament President David Sassoli vehemently rejected Orbán via Twitter. “Only those who do not like democracy think of dismantling parliaments.” Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice saw no flaws in the way the European Parliament launched criminal proceedings against Hungary for violating European values. Hungary had appealed to the court in protest of the decision by which the European Parliament initiated the procedure under Article 7 of the European Treaty in 2018. It can be opened when there is a clear risk of serious violations of democratic principles in a member state. Article 7 is the most far-reaching means in European treaties to protect democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in member states. May result in suspension of voting rights. Earlier, the European Commission also launched such a measure against Poland. However, both measures have been on hold for years because member states cannot agree on further steps. Hungary has recently been criticized for legislative changes made by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling conservative party Fidesz last week to ban the “promotion” of homosexuality or gender change to minors. According to the NGOs, the law is comparable to a Russian law that criminalizes any act of homosexual “propaganda” targeting young people. Orban is not only constantly criticized for his views. On Saturday, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said that freedom of expression is a personal freedom that does not belong to media companies. Jansa is a friend of Urban.