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Adopted text

The situation in Hungary

TA-8-2018-0340 · P8_TA(2018)0340 · PE620.837

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Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Council to determine, under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union, that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded. It states that its concerns cover the constitutional and electoral system, judicial independence, corruption, privacy, freedom of expression, academic freedom, religion, association, equal treatment, minority rights, migrants' rights and economic and social rights. It finds that the facts and trends in the Annex represent a systemic threat to the values of Article 2 and constitute a clear risk of a serious breach. It submits an annexed reasoned proposal for a Council decision inviting the Council to make that determination and to address appropriate recommendations to Hungary. The annexed draft decision states that there is a clear risk of a serious breach and recommends that Hungary take actions within three months of notification.

Key points

  1. Parliament states that its concerns relate to the functioning of the constitutional and electoral system, the independence of the judiciary and other institutions, and the rights of judges.
  2. Its concerns also cover corruption and conflicts of interest, privacy and data protection, freedom of expression, academic freedom, freedom of religion and freedom of association.
  3. Further concerns are the right to equal treatment, the rights of persons belonging to minorities including Roma and Jews, protection against hateful statements against them, the fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and economic and social rights.
  4. Parliament believes the facts and trends in the Annex taken together represent a systemic threat to the values of Article 2 TEU and constitute a clear risk of a serious breach.
  5. It notes the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Hungary of 8 April 2018 and says any Hungarian government is responsible for eliminating the risk, even if it results from previous governments' decisions.
  6. Parliament submits the annexed reasoned proposal to the Council under Article 7(1) TEU, inviting it to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach and to address appropriate recommendations to Hungary.
  7. The annexed draft Council decision states that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded.
  8. The draft decision recommends that Hungary take listed actions within three months of its notification, enters into force the day after publication in the Official Journal, and is addressed to Hungary.

Who is affected

  • Hungary: the Council is asked to determine a clear risk of a serious breach and to recommend actions it must take within three months.
  • The Council: invited to make the determination under Article 7(1) TEU and to address recommendations to Hungary.
  • The Commission and member states' governments and parliaments: to receive the resolution and the annexed reasoned proposal.

Figures and deadlines

  • 8 April 2018: date of the parliamentary elections in Hungary noted by Parliament.
  • Three months of the notification of the decision: deadline for Hungary to take the recommended actions.

Legal basis: Article 2 and Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union.