EU confronts Hungary on draconian laws

THE EU and Hungary brought their fight over democratic rights fully into the open yesterday, with the European Commission launching legal challenges against the former Soviet-bloc country many fear may be slipping back into authoritarianism.

The commission said the Hungarian constitution that came into force on January 1 undermines the independence of the national central bank and the judiciary, and does not respect data privacy principles.

Prime minister Viktor Orban, whose grip on power has earned him the nickname “Viktator”, defied the criticism and invited himself to the European Parliament in Strasbourg today to confront his detractors head on.

“We won’t allow the international left to accuse Hungary through lies and baseless slander,” his office said in a statement.

The commission said it had found enough evidence to start legal proceedings, which may end up in court later this year.

It highlights a general discomfort about Hungary, where critics fear creeping fallback to a centralised one-party rule under Orban’s Fidesz party.

“We do not want the shadow of doubt on respect for democratic principles and values to remain over the country any longer,” commission president Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters. “The quicker that this is resolved the better.”

In an initial reaction to the challenges, the Hungarian government struck a conciliatory tone. “There is no disagreement with the institutions of the European Union on the importance of basic principles, common European values and achievements.”

Orban has come under fire from the parliament and civil rights organisations that fear he could push the country back into authoritarianism by imposing control over institutions whose independence is protected by EU treaties.

The commission and the European Central Bank had been in touch with Hungarian authorities since mid-December, expressing doubts over aspects of the new constitution.

Beside the central bank law, which gives the government a larger role in naming top bank officials, the EU objects to the forced early retirement of hundreds of judges, and is concerned about the independence of the new data protection authority.

“We had hoped that Hungary would have made the necessary changes,” Barroso said. “This has not been the case so far.”

As part of its so-called infringement procedure, the commission is sending three formal letters to the Hungarian government spelling out its legal issues with the new laws.

Budapest has until February 17 to respond, after which the commission will take about two months to analyse the responses.

If Hungary ignores further requests for changes, the commission can take it to the European Court of Justice and levy fines, although that process could drag on for much of this year.

The EU also has a quicker way of exerting pressure on Orban’s government. Hungary has requested financial help from the EU and the IMF. Both institutions have said they will not begin aid talks until the independence of the Hungarian central bank has been ensured.

Orban will meet Barroso in Brussels next Tuesday.