Report is published, critical of rule of law and fundamental rights in country
ADVERTISEMENTThe pressure's piling on the EU to act against Hungary. The findings of a European Parliament inquiry have been published and are critical of country's rule of law and fundamental rights.
The Dutch MEP leading it thinks Article 7 should be triggered.
"There is a clear risk of serious breach of the values on which this European Union is founded," said Judith Sargentini.
Article 7 could ultimately strip Hungary of its voting rights. But the Parliament's divided over triggering the process, as is the European People's Party - of which Viktor Orban's Fidesz party is a member.
The EPP's leader Manfred Weber congratulated Orban on his election win.
For that, Weber got a tough response from a Swedish member of the grouping.
Gunnar Hokmar says in a letter he is surprised - claiming the election victory was won on a platform of anti-European and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
For one Hungarian MEP, also a member of the European People's Party, the critical report and the letter are based on misinformation.
"In the EPP we have an open talk; so all the members can bring their own concerns," Livia Jaroka told Euronews.
"And they brought them up to me. That's why I can tell you that I know that much of their information is misinformation."
Orban's been locked in running battles with the EU over migration and reforms which are said to undermine democracy - and weaken media independence. He's teamed up with Poland to stand up against Brussels policies.