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The European Parliament (EP) at its plenary session in Brussels adopted a resolution on the establishment of an EU mechanism to protect and strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, the EU parliament said on Wednesday, according to the MTI.
MEPs called for an evidence-based mechanism to ensure that the union can truly defend its legal order, the fundamental rights of the people and the international credibility of the Union against the “dilution of European values”.
According to the resolution approved by 521 votes to 152 and 21 abstentions, the mechanism would operate on an equal footing for all member states, in a fair and impartial manner, respecting at all times the principle of proportionality.
According to the text, MEPs supporting the creation of the mechanism are concerned about “the strengthening and consolidation of autocratic and illiberal tendencies”, exacerbated by the coronavirus epidemic and corruption, misinformation and “state imprisonment” in many member states.
In his view, the mechanism is necessary because the Union does not have the adequate means to deal with the “unprecedented and increasingly serious crisis” of its fundamental values. This is also indicated by the fact that the Council of the European Union has so far not been able to make substantial progress in the ongoing procedures under Article 7 of the EU Treaty, so that “the policy of the special track may continue unhindered. “
An agreement between the EU institutions is needed on a cycle to examine the validity of European values.
“The new annual control cycle, based on country-specific recommendations, should ensure that violations are prevented and remedied at the same time,” they said. In the EP’s view, specific measures linked to deadlines and targets should also be identified, in accordance with inter alia Article 7 procedures, infringement procedures and the rule of law for the payment of EU budget funds as soon as possible. as they come into force.
According to the resolution, the mechanism proposed by the EP would consolidate and replace existing instruments, including the European Commission reports on the rule of law, writes the MTI.
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