Hungary's Orban vows to defy EU pressure ahead of unprecedented vote

[BMD]

Hungary's Orban vows to defy EU pressure ahead of unprecedented vote

Hungary's Orban vows to defy EU pressure ahead of unprecedented vote


By Alastair Macdonald

,
Reuters•September 11, 2018

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses MEPs during a debate on the situation in Hungary at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, September 11, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

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By Alastair Macdonald

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the European Parliament on Tuesday he would not bow to EU "blackmail" as lawmakers prepared to vote on whether to punish Budapest for eroding democracy.

Some momentum might have been building against Orban during the evening ahead of the Wednesday vote. But it was still unclear whether the 751-strong European Parliament would be able to muster the two-thirds majority needed to pass the censure motion, which accuses Hungary of breaching core EU values.

Since sweeping to power in 2010, Orban has pressured Hungary's courts, media and non-governmental groups, as well as refusing to take in asylum seekers arriving in Europe. Though the European Union has often protested, it has largely failed to stop what his critics decry as his growing authoritarianism.

If approved, the motion would go to the EU's national leaders, theoretically opening the way for sanctions such as a suspension of Hungary's voting rights in the bloc.

But in practice that is sure to be blocked by Orban's ally, the nationalist government in Poland that is locked in its own dispute with the EU over undercutting the rule of law.

Directly addressing EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, Orban cast Wednesday's vote as an act of revenge for his refusal to host refugees who have fled to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa since 2015.

"Hungary shall not bow to blackmail," said Orban, whose right-wing Fidesz party was re-elected with a landslide majority last April.

"Hungary shall continue to defend its borders, stop illegal immigration and defend its rights – against you, too, if necessary," he said, drawing applause from the eurosceptic, far-right lawmakers in the assembly.

Orban has said the mostly Muslim refugees pose an existential threat to Europe's Christian civilization. He has also waged a vociferous campaign against Hungarian-born, Jewish American billionaire philanthropist George Soros and the liberal causes he backs in formerly-communist eastern Europe.

BROAD CRITICISM

The motion against Orban's Hungary goes well beyond the migration issue.

The deputy head of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, said on Tuesday he shared its authors' concerns about "fundamental rights, corruption, the treatment of Roma and the independence of the judiciary" in Hungary under Orban.

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, a leading liberal, said Hungary would never have been allowed to join the EU in 2004 had it been back then as it has now become under Orban. The group of leftists and greens in the assembly said "Orban's authoritarian moves must be curbed".

Dutch lawmaker Sophie in 't Veld urged the EU to consider cutting generous subsidies to Hungary, asking: "Why are we giving Mr Orban 87 million euros a week in order to destroy the European Union?"

Even Orban's fellow migration hardliner, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, unexpectedly said his party's five European lawmakers would vote against Budapest.

"We believe that there can be no compromises on the rule of law and democracy," Kurz told ORF television.

Greek members of the group were planning to do the same.

But Italy's anti-immigration Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said his League party's six EU lawmakers would support Orban.

The parties of Kurz and Orban both belong to the biggest faction in the European Parliament, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), which also includes lawmakers from the party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The EPP membership has muted EU reaction to Orban's policies over the years and the big question mark is what the group's 217 members will now do.

The vote represents a particular challenge for EPP's German head Manfred Weber since he announced his bid for the presidency of the EU's executive Commission next year.

On Tuesday Weber said the EU might need to consider launching the sanctions procedure, under Article 7.1 of the bloc's Lisbon Treaty, if Budapest did not address the criticisms.

The EPP decided on Tuesday evening that its lawmakers would vote freely without a unified stance from the whole group. Orban might have lost some key allies as EPP lawmakers said their caucus meeting showed many would vote in favor of Article 7.

But the vote was still hard to call.

To become the first-ever case of the European Parliament asking EU capitals to launch the punitive mechanism against one of their own, it must win the backing of at least 376 lawmakers and two thirds of the votes cast.

(Additional reporting by Jan Strupczewski, Robin Emmott, Daphne Psaledakis and Peter Maushagen in Brussels, Francois Murphy in Vienna, Steve Scherer in Rome and Krisztina Than in Budapest, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Gareth Jones/Mark Heinrich)

 

[Volcano]

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary
In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Viktor Orban's government is accused of silencing media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.






Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.


The measure to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedures garnered the necessary majority needed to pass, with 448 voting in favor of the motion, 197 against and 48 abstentions. The move means that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government could eventually lose its EU voting rights.


Prior to the vote, it was unclear how many members of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) bloc, the largest political group in the European Parliament, would support the measure. Although Orban's Fidesz party is part of the EPP, several of the lawmakers voted against their Hungarian allies.


Hungary vows to challenge decision


Shortly after the vote, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the decision as a form of "petty revenge" by "pro-immigration politicians" against Budapest for its tough immigration policies.


Budapest is also looking into legal ways to challenge the measure. Szijjarto argued that the abstaining votes should have been included in the count as well, which would have changed the outcome.


European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who gave a speech in parliament before the vote, told DW that he had "given up" on trying to talk with Orban about his hardline policies, saying "there are big differences" between the two of them.

"I constantly explain to Viktor Orban that this radical rhetoric he's directing towards Europe helps neither him nor Europe," he told DW.

What the vote means: The measure does not immediately penalize Hungary, but it opens the door for sanctions to be imposed. Wednesday's vote also means that a formal warning will be sent to Hungary for violating the EU's values.


What is Article 7? Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty opens a path for sanctions against a member state and a temporary loss of EU Council voting rights. The mechanism is triggered when one of the bloc's members violates the vales of "human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities."

Hungary's Orban defiant as EU lawmakers debate action

EU-Hungary tensions: Speaking to European lawmakers on Tuesday, Orban said the EU was targeting Hungary for refusing to take in refugees under an EU-wide resettlement quota scheme. Although Brussels and Budapest have repeatedly clashed over immigration and refugee policy, the vote on Wednesday addressed broader concerns with the state of democracy and rule of law in Hungary. A report by MEP Judith Sargentini, which triggered the Article 7 vote, found that Orban's attacks on independent media, academics, the judiciary, migrants and refugees and the rights of minorities pose a "systemic threat" to the EU's fundamental principles.


Historic vote: The vote was the first time that the EU Parliament considered launching the Article 7 sanctions process against a member state. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, launched Article 7 proceedings against Poland last year over its judicial reforms.


What happens next: The motion will now pass to the leaders of the EU's 28-member states for approval. However, a unanimous vote is required to suspend Hungary's voting rights and launch sanctions — a move that is likely to be blocked by Poland.

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary | DW | 12.09.2018

 

[BMD]

Ah... The EU interfering in national politics again.

 

[BMD]

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary
In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Viktor Orban's government is accused of silencing media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.






Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.


The measure to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedures garnered the necessary majority needed to pass, with 448 voting in favor of the motion, 197 against and 48 abstentions. The move means that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government could eventually lose its EU voting rights.


Prior to the vote, it was unclear how many members of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) bloc, the largest political group in the European Parliament, would support the measure. Although Orban's Fidesz party is part of the EPP, several of the lawmakers voted against their Hungarian allies.


Hungary vows to challenge decision


Shortly after the vote, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the decision as a form of "petty revenge" by "pro-immigration politicians" against Budapest for its tough immigration policies.


Budapest is also looking into legal ways to challenge the measure. Szijjarto argued that the abstaining votes should have been included in the count as well, which would have changed the outcome.


European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who gave a speech in parliament before the vote, told DW that he had "given up" on trying to talk with Orban about his hardline policies, saying "there are big differences" between the two of them.

"I constantly explain to Viktor Orban that this radical rhetoric he's directing towards Europe helps neither him nor Europe," he told DW.

What the vote means: The measure does not immediately penalize Hungary, but it opens the door for sanctions to be imposed. Wednesday's vote also means that a formal warning will be sent to Hungary for violating the EU's values.


What is Article 7? Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty opens a path for sanctions against a member state and a temporary loss of EU Council voting rights. The mechanism is triggered when one of the bloc's members violates the vales of "human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities."

Hungary's Orban defiant as EU lawmakers debate action

EU-Hungary tensions: Speaking to European lawmakers on Tuesday, Orban said the EU was targeting Hungary for refusing to take in refugees under an EU-wide resettlement quota scheme. Although Brussels and Budapest have repeatedly clashed over immigration and refugee policy, the vote on Wednesday addressed broader concerns with the state of democracy and rule of law in Hungary. A report by MEP Judith Sargentini, which triggered the Article 7 vote, found that Orban's attacks on independent media, academics, the judiciary, migrants and refugees and the rights of minorities pose a "systemic threat" to the EU's fundamental principles.


Historic vote: The vote was the first time that the EU Parliament considered launching the Article 7 sanctions process against a member state. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, launched Article 7 proceedings against Poland last year over its judicial reforms.


What happens next: The motion will now pass to the leaders of the EU's 28-member states for approval. However, a unanimous vote is required to suspend Hungary's voting rights and launch sanctions — a move that is likely to be blocked by Poland.

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary | DW | 12.09.2018

I understood that only a 4/5ths majority is needed to suspend voting rights, i.e. not unanimous.

European Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary

 

[BMD]

 

[Nilgiri]

Full support to Orban and Hungary. Stick it to the EU!

Poland, Italy, Czech rep should follow....and if EU wants to impose sanctions, these countries should just leave.

EU is long past its expiry date when it stopped being just a simple customs union.

 

[BMD]

In Soviet Russia, EU was called USSR.

 

[Volcano]

Juncker calls on EU to seize chance to become major sovereign power
European commission president sets out vision of how to expand EU’s ‘clout’ on world stage

Daniel Boffey in Strasbourg

Wed 12 Sep 2018 17.50 BSTLast modified on Wed 12 Sep 2018 20.50


Jean-Claude Juncker used his address to appeal for the EU to be given powers and characteristics traditionally restricted to states.
The European Union must turn into a major sovereign power on the global stage making the world in its image, Jean-Claude Juncker has said, setting out plans to make Europe militarily and economically independent from its traditional ally the US.

In his state of the union speech, titled The Hour of European Sovereignty, the European commission president appealed to MEPs and heads of government to give the EU the powers and characteristics traditionally restricted to states.

Explaining his expansive vision, Juncker said the EU should aim to surpass the dominance of the dollar in the world economy and challenge China in its attempts to become the ascendant influence in Africa.

The EU should be “a global player” as well as a “global payer”, Juncker said, with foreign policy decisions made on the basis of a qualified majority vote in which the will of 55% of member states would win the day.




Through trade deals, the EU’s standards and labour conditions were being exported across the world, he said, and it was time for the continent to further use its “clout” to mould the future.

“The geopolitical situation makes this Europe’s hour: the time for European sovereignty has come,” Juncker told the European parliament in Strasbourg. “It is time Europe took its destiny into its own hands. It is time Europe developed what I coined Weltpolitikfähigkeit – the capacity to play a role, as a union, in shaping global affairs. Europe has to become a more sovereign actor in international relations.”

Later, asked by the BBC whether he wanted the EU to have superpower status, Juncker was cautious in his language. “I want the EU to become a major player in the global scene,” he said. “Superpower, I don’t like that expression. We have to be super but not a superpower.”

But Juncker’s direction of travel was clear. Although Donald Trump was never directly named, the US president was referred to throughout the speech.

Traditional international alliances could collapse and the EU needed its independence, Juncker told MEPs. “We will not militarise the European Union,” he said. “What we want is to become more autonomous and live up to our global responsibilities.”

Juncker expressed his disapproval of those who pursued unilateral actions, waging trade and currency wars.

Speaking hours before MEPs voted to trigger the bloc’s most serious sanctions procedure against Hungary for its threat to the rule of law, Juncker conceded that the EU was “imperfect”.

But he appealed to heads of government to end the recent squabbling and divisive rhetoric and seize the moment rather than risk letting the continent slide into diplomatic conflict or worse.

“In 1913, Europeans expected to live a lasting peace,” Juncker said. “And yet, just a year later, a brutal war broke out amongst brothers, engulfing the continent. I speak of these times not because I believe we are on the brink of another catastrophe, but because Europe is the guardian of peace.

“We should be thankful we live on a peaceful continent, made possible by the European Union. So let us show the European Union a bit more respect. Let us stop dragging its name through the mud, and start defending our communal way of life more.”

A more detailed section of Juncker’s speech related to Africa, where he said the EU should transition from merely providing development aid towards treating the continent as an equal.

He said it was in Europe’s interest to engage with Africa on a more significant basis, with other global powers – particularly China – having already made their imprint there. Further trade deals should be sealed and private and public partnerships used to unlock economic potential, Juncker said.

“By 2050 Africa’s population will number 2.5 billion,” Juncker said. “One in four people on Earth will be African. We need to invest more in our relationship with the nations of this great and noble continent. And we have to stop seeing this relationship through the sole prism of development aid.

“Africa does not need charity, it needs true and fair partnerships. And Europe needs this partnership just as much.”

Juncker calls on EU to seize chance to become major sovereign power





After reading through the Jean-Claude Juncker's statements, It does look like the policy of limited sovereignty which Nigel warned earlier is true. Read the higlited lines in the article. It sounds like the leader of luxembourg want to build and empire where power is concentrated on European commission.

 

[BMD]

Juncker calls on EU to seize chance to become major sovereign power
European commission president sets out vision of how to expand EU’s ‘clout’ on world stage

Daniel Boffey in Strasbourg

Wed 12 Sep 2018 17.50 BSTLast modified on Wed 12 Sep 2018 20.50


Jean-Claude Juncker used his address to appeal for the EU to be given powers and characteristics traditionally restricted to states.
The European Union must turn into a major sovereign power on the global stage making the world in its image, Jean-Claude Juncker has said, setting out plans to make Europe militarily and economically independent from its traditional ally the US.

In his state of the union speech, titled The Hour of European Sovereignty, the European commission president appealed to MEPs and heads of government to give the EU the powers and characteristics traditionally restricted to states.

Explaining his expansive vision, Juncker said the EU should aim to surpass the dominance of the dollar in the world economy and challenge China in its attempts to become the ascendant influence in Africa.

The EU should be “a global player” as well as a “global payer”, Juncker said, with foreign policy decisions made on the basis of a qualified majority vote in which the will of 55% of member states would win the day.




Through trade deals, the EU’s standards and labour conditions were being exported across the world, he said, and it was time for the continent to further use its “clout” to mould the future.

“The geopolitical situation makes this Europe’s hour: the time for European sovereignty has come,” Juncker told the European parliament in Strasbourg. “It is time Europe took its destiny into its own hands. It is time Europe developed what I coined Weltpolitikfähigkeit – the capacity to play a role, as a union, in shaping global affairs. Europe has to become a more sovereign actor in international relations.”

Later, asked by the BBC whether he wanted the EU to have superpower status, Juncker was cautious in his language. “I want the EU to become a major player in the global scene,” he said. “Superpower, I don’t like that expression. We have to be super but not a superpower.”

But Juncker’s direction of travel was clear. Although Donald Trump was never directly named, the US president was referred to throughout the speech.

Traditional international alliances could collapse and the EU needed its independence, Juncker told MEPs. “We will not militarise the European Union,” he said. “What we want is to become more autonomous and live up to our global responsibilities.”

Juncker expressed his disapproval of those who pursued unilateral actions, waging trade and currency wars.

Speaking hours before MEPs voted to trigger the bloc’s most serious sanctions procedure against Hungary for its threat to the rule of law, Juncker conceded that the EU was “imperfect”.

But he appealed to heads of government to end the recent squabbling and divisive rhetoric and seize the moment rather than risk letting the continent slide into diplomatic conflict or worse.

“In 1913, Europeans expected to live a lasting peace,” Juncker said. “And yet, just a year later, a brutal war broke out amongst brothers, engulfing the continent. I speak of these times not because I believe we are on the brink of another catastrophe, but because Europe is the guardian of peace.

“We should be thankful we live on a peaceful continent, made possible by the European Union. So let us show the European Union a bit more respect. Let us stop dragging its name through the mud, and start defending our communal way of life more.”

A more detailed section of Juncker’s speech related to Africa, where he said the EU should transition from merely providing development aid towards treating the continent as an equal.

He said it was in Europe’s interest to engage with Africa on a more significant basis, with other global powers – particularly China – having already made their imprint there. Further trade deals should be sealed and private and public partnerships used to unlock economic potential, Juncker said.

“By 2050 Africa’s population will number 2.5 billion,” Juncker said. “One in four people on Earth will be African. We need to invest more in our relationship with the nations of this great and noble continent. And we have to stop seeing this relationship through the sole prism of development aid.

“Africa does not need charity, it needs true and fair partnerships. And Europe needs this partnership just as much.”

Juncker calls on EU to seize chance to become major sovereign power





After reading through the Jean-Claude Juncker's statements, It does look like the policy of limited sovereignty which Nigel warned earlier is true. Read the higlited lines in the article. It sounds like the leader of luxembourg want to build and empire where power is concentrated on European commission.

Which confirms everything Farage said. It's aiming to become a federal authority and remove power from nation states.

 

[BMD]

If you disagree with the EU you are now labelled corrupt.

 

[BMD]

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary
In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Viktor Orban's government is accused of silencing media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.






Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.


The measure to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedures garnered the necessary majority needed to pass, with 448 voting in favor of the motion, 197 against and 48 abstentions. The move means that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government could eventually lose its EU voting rights.


Prior to the vote, it was unclear how many members of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) bloc, the largest political group in the European Parliament, would support the measure. Although Orban's Fidesz party is part of the EPP, several of the lawmakers voted against their Hungarian allies.


Hungary vows to challenge decision


Shortly after the vote, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the decision as a form of "petty revenge" by "pro-immigration politicians" against Budapest for its tough immigration policies.


Budapest is also looking into legal ways to challenge the measure. Szijjarto argued that the abstaining votes should have been included in the count as well, which would have changed the outcome.


European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who gave a speech in parliament before the vote, told DW that he had "given up" on trying to talk with Orban about his hardline policies, saying "there are big differences" between the two of them.

"I constantly explain to Viktor Orban that this radical rhetoric he's directing towards Europe helps neither him nor Europe," he told DW.

What the vote means: The measure does not immediately penalize Hungary, but it opens the door for sanctions to be imposed. Wednesday's vote also means that a formal warning will be sent to Hungary for violating the EU's values.


What is Article 7? Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty opens a path for sanctions against a member state and a temporary loss of EU Council voting rights. The mechanism is triggered when one of the bloc's members violates the vales of "human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities."

Hungary's Orban defiant as EU lawmakers debate action

EU-Hungary tensions: Speaking to European lawmakers on Tuesday, Orban said the EU was targeting Hungary for refusing to take in refugees under an EU-wide resettlement quota scheme. Although Brussels and Budapest have repeatedly clashed over immigration and refugee policy, the vote on Wednesday addressed broader concerns with the state of democracy and rule of law in Hungary. A report by MEP Judith Sargentini, which triggered the Article 7 vote, found that Orban's attacks on independent media, academics, the judiciary, migrants and refugees and the rights of minorities pose a "systemic threat" to the EU's fundamental principles.


Historic vote: The vote was the first time that the EU Parliament considered launching the Article 7 sanctions process against a member state. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, launched Article 7 proceedings against Poland last year over its judicial reforms.


What happens next: The motion will now pass to the leaders of the EU's 28-member states for approval. However, a unanimous vote is required to suspend Hungary's voting rights and launch sanctions — a move that is likely to be blocked by Poland.

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary | DW | 12.09.2018

You know, this could work out brilliantly. If everyone ignores the EU's rules, then the EU will ban them all from voting, but they won't need to vote because they're ignoring the rules anyway. So the EU will in essence cease to exist all by itself and because of itself.

 

[Volcano]

You know, this could work out brilliantly. If everyone ignores the EU's rules, then the EU will ban them all from voting, but they won't need to vote because they're ignoring the rules anyway. So the EU will in essence cease to exist all by itself and because of itself.

Its a tricky situation. The foundations of EU started shaking when EU expanded to include East European countries.