Questions and answers

European Parliament attention once more focuses on the "Hungary case". Is it possible to talk of democracy, justice and freedom in this EU Member State? The question was raised during a public conference held past February 9 by MEPs in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee following their meeting with Tibor Navracsics, vice prime minister, Minister of Public Administration and Justice of the Hungarian government. The issue was also on the agenda of the EP plenary session of February 13-16, whereby MEPs were tasked with casting their vote on the issue. Different stands. The debate was opened by the Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes: "I continue to have grave concerns about the current situation in Hungary. And these concerns are based on facts, not myths!" the Commissioner said. Kroes highlighted the need to ensure the right to freedom of expression, and "not just because it is a fundamental right" but also "because private investors and international institutions need to know they have full access to independent media analysis". Kroes thus reminded vice premier Navracsics that the Commission expects two important initiatives by Hungary. First, the Hungarian Government should explicitly and transparently ask the Council of Europe for a comprehensive opinion on the compliance of the media legislation regarding fundamental values. Second, "the Hungarian authorities should accept and implement any concrete recommendations" that would be made by the Council of Europe. Called into question, Tibor Navracsics replied that "the Hungarian government is firmly committed in cooperating with Community institutions. We are firmly committed in the promotion of democracy and justice". However, "the Council of Europe cannot impose anything that is contrary to our Constitution". Kroes, who described the stand as "incoherent", didn’t positively receive the statement. Continuing the dialogue. The Commission’s Director General for Justice, Françoise Le Bail, conveyed the outcome of the work with the Hungarian authorities to solve the problems that had prompted the launch of three infringement procedures against Hungary: the independence of the national data protection authority, the retirement age of judges and the independence of the judiciary. “We shall not hesitate to take further steps depending on the answers we receive”, she added. To this regard Navracsics declared: "We are preparing our reply and we are willing to continue our dialogue with the Commission”. On the issue of central bank independence, Hungary has until 17 February to reply to the infringement procedure opened by the Commission. Article 7 of the Treaty. MEPs thus debated whether Hungary is violating the EU’s common values. "We call on the Commission to fully investigate, but we have no reason to believe that this situation could lead to a case of a serious breach of EU law”, said Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil, (EPP). Conversely, Romanian MEP Renate Weber (ALDE) called for the application of Article 7 of the EU Treaty "because it is the duty of this house to protect EU fundamental values". This view was echoed by Austrian MEP Ulrike Lunacek (Greens), who said: "Article 7 would serve to assess what is happening in Hungary. The media law, for example, is part of a broader concern, which is that Hungary is moving towards an autocratic regime". Ultimately, British MEP Anthea McIntyre member of the Conservatives Group of the EP commented: "Each democracy has the right to establish its own constitution", adding that “any evaluation should be conducted with fairness and balance” and asking “to treat Hungary not as an enemy but rather as a member of our Union".Media freedom. “Klubrádió is fighting for its very survival in the reality show of the Hungarian media law”, said its President András Arató, describing its difficulties in renewing its licence. OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic reported "serious concerns on the financial and editorial independence of the media in Hungary". Emine Bozkurt, Emine Bozkurt (S&D, NL), noted that “the debate in the European Parliament with Hungary’s Prime Minister", which took place in January, was described by Hungarian media as a victory for Viktor Orbán. "There was no room for other voices".