European lawmakers attack Hungary for attacking democratic values

European Union lawmakers said on Thursday that Hungary's nationalist government was deliberately trying to undermine the bloc's democratic values ​​and they lamented the failure of the other 26 EU countries to take steps that would bring the country back on track.

In a resolution adopted by 433 votes to 123, with 28 abstentions, the parliamentarians expressed their concerns regarding the Hungarian constitutional and electoral systems, judicial independence, possible corruption, irregularities in public procurement, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as as media, academic and religious freedoms.

Legislators also condemned "the efforts deliberate and systematic actions by the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values ​​of the Union."

< p>The vote is highly symbolic in that it sets Hungary apart from other EU countries in its alleged failure to make respect the values ​​enshrined in the EU Treaty such as "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for humanity". rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities."

But the vote, which took place during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, imposes no sanctions on the Prime Minister's government Minister Viktor Orban, nor oblige other EU countries to take particular measures.

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In their resolution, lawmakers said the Hungarian government – ​​which Orban describes as “illiberal democracy” – had become “a hybrid regime of electorate autocracy” the". They partly blame EU member countries for it, for turning a blind eye to possible abuses.

Lawmakers opposed to a report containing the resolution said it contains "opinions subjective statements and politically biased statements, and reflects vague concerns, value judgments and double standards."

Yet Hungary has long been on a collision course with its European partners. It has regularly blocked statements, decisions and joint events, ranging from high-level NATO meetings with Ukraine, to an EU vote on corporate tax and an EU common position on an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire.

The government in Budapest has opposed some EU sanctions against Russia, including a freeze on the assets of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as energy-related measures against Moscow.