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In moderate language, but the report makes harsh criticism, so it is understandable that the Hungarian government would not like to believe in advance the attacks on Vera Jourova. There are also recent allegations in the report, such as the Index case.
The European Commission has published its 2020 report on the rule of law in the EU Member States. A similar report was produced every year on the economic situation in the Member States, but this is the first time that the rule of law has been produced. As this is the first report of its kind, more serious political clashes will ensue after its publication.
One of them is presented by the Hungarian government. Viktor Orban wrote a letter this week Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission, in which he demanded his resignation Vera Jourovát, commissioner of values and transparency commissioner, and one of the vice-presidents of the committee, after saying in an interview that Orbán is building a sick democracy in Hungary.
At first, this seemed like an overreaction from the Prime Minister, who almost constantly fights against political correctness and poses as a constant Western problem that nothing can be said there anymore. However, it later emerged that the report on the rule of law scheduled for the end of September would be published soon, with Vera Jourova being one of the people responsible, and she and the other commissioner for the rule of law, the Belgian Didier reynders they showed together at a press conference.
The Hungarian government rightly tried to make the report a political matter and to discredit it, as it is not kind to the Hungarian government and the rule of law in Hungary. The report examines four main issues: the judiciary, corruption, independence and freedom of the media, and checks and balances.
The judicial system
In the section on the judiciary, it is noted that the state of Hungary’s judiciary has been criticized many times, including the initiation of proceedings under this week’s article, but the government has yet to implement the Commission’s recommendations.
There are also several disturbing developments about the Mansion, in particular the fact that it has opposed a ruling by the European Court of Justice. They also criticize the conditions and procedure for the appointment of judges in the Constitutional Court, but point out that the Hungarian judicial system is fundamentally efficient and well digitized.
Corruption
Regarding corruption, they see the close connection between certain large companies and politics as a problem. When allegations of corruption surface, especially against a narrow circle of top executives, no one seems to want to prosecute them.
The anti-corruption framework is inherently dispersed among various authorities and there is less and less civil and independent control over it, which is also compounded by difficulties with the media, as it becomes increasingly difficult to access information.
Media independence
The independence of the Media Council is at stake, says the report. Transparency with respect to media owners is not guaranteed. The size of a gigantic pro-government media giant called KESMA stands out as a critical issue that threatens media pluralism. According to the report, the large number of state advertisements received by pro-government newspapers provides an opportunity for indirect political control of the media. Meanwhile, the independent media are under constant attack and economic difficulties provide an opportunity for their economic occupation.
Other criticisms
The report argues that the functioning of the legislature is problematic because impact studies and prior consultations have completely disappeared. The increasing repression of civilians is also problematic, and the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that civil law is incompatible with EU law.
The report writes about the problems in moderate language, but makes some harsh criticism. It is also interesting that it includes relatively recent cases. We have already written before that the Hungarian government has been particularly wrong on the subject of the Index in European politics, because this autumn it will have to fight hard for the rule of law and democracy, but the report provides further proof of this.
The newspaper not only covers the story of the economic takeover of the Index and the resignation of the editorial board, but also the anti-Semitic attacks on the two index journalists who beat them while one of them was staying at a soccer game under command. of Familiar Faces.
Featured image: Photo by Olivier HOSLET / POOL / AFP
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