Democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary: MEPs assess the situation

MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee will assess on Thursday the situation in Hungary, to determine whether the country is at risk of breaching EU i values.

Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA, NL) will present her draft report on democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in the country to the committee. The Civil Liberties Committee was tasked in May 2017 with studying the situation in Hungary, with a view to activating Article 7(1) of the EU Treaty.

In the plenary resolution of May 2017, MEPs stated that the situation in the country justifies triggering the procedure, which may result in sanctions for Hungary, including losing its voting rights in the Council.

Next steps

The Civil Liberties Committee will vote on Ms Sargentini’s report in June. It will be put to a vote in plenary in September. To be adopted, it has to be backed by two-thirds of the votes cast and an absolute majority of MEPs, i.e. at least 376 votes.

When: Thursday, 12 April, from 9.00 to 9.45.

Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Paul-Henri Spaak building, room 3C050

Judith Sargentini i will give a press conference following the debate, at 10.00 in Anna Politkovskaya room (PHS 0A50).

You can follow the discussion in committee and the press conference live.