Statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR) and by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D,ES), rapporteurs. In a plenary debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs take stock of EU action to counter the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland.

statement

debate

plenary session

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

EU - Poland (T)

EU - Hungary (T)

DELBOS-CORFIELD, Gwendoline (Greens/EFA, FR)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: extracts from the debate and statements by the rapporteurs

Title: Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: extracts from the debate and statements by the rapporteurs

SOUNDBITE (English), Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, The unfairness of the election comes from 12 years of dismantling systemic dismantling of rights and liberties in Hungary, and it comes from the fact that there is absolutely no media pluralism. So today there is no access for the opposition in the discourse, in the global discourse.

SOUNDBITE (English), Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, If you do not belong to the ruling party, you have no money coming from the government. There has been a huge centralisation of the money and now all of these places where opposition or just independent mayors are in place, well, there's no investment at all. If you are in one of these cities, your schools will have no more money. Your mobility, transportation will have no more money, your sewage will not be done and all of this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, Indeed, European money is either disappearing, misused or channelled to people and only to some very selected areas of the country. And this is completely contrary to how European money should help member states to develop.

SOUNDBITE (English), Juan Fernando L&#211;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, President von der Leyen has announced to finally launch the rule of law conditionality mechanism regarding Hungary. It is a response to an insistent call by the European Parliament that has been endorsed throughout the years ever since the situation got started.

SOUNDBITE (English), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The message is clear as to Hungary: there is a systemic violation of very basic common principles of the European Union, and the situation is mature enough for the Commission to finally make a move after the decision that was made in February by the European Court of Justice. The rule of law conditionality was first, sound and safe, in legal terms. It had a legal basis.

SOUNDBITE (English), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The warning has also been launched by the European Commission and President von der Leyen's announcement that this rule of law conditionality is effective, is in place, is enforced. It might also be implemented in the case of Poland.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs, We know that the rule of law, fundamental rights, these are common values, as said by President Macron on behalf of the presidency, before you on the 19th of January, they are our heritage. This is more important today than ever when Ukraine is being so brutally attacked. This war reminds us what is important, that member states must stay to the rule, stick to the rules they agreed to that they sovereignly adhered to.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&eacute;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs, We have taken up hearings that were previously suspended February 22nd of February, dealt with Poland and all of the issues raised by the commission were dealt with. Poland was able to present their side of the reforms in particyular on the disciplinary chamber of the court. We will be very vigilant with regards to these reforms which engage Poland

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&eacute;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs,A hearing with Hungary is also set for the 30th of May. This will come at an important moment to evaluate the rule of law in this member state.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&eacute;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State with responsability for European Affairs, It is now up to the commission to launch further steps. Commissioner von der Leyen announced this in front of your assembly yesterday. And in council, we will continue these debates, this process and working with this tool that we put in place together as co-legislators. And this is so important for the Rule of law of our union.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#283;ra JOUROV&#193;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, The commission updated the council on the most important developments that occurred in recent months, concluding that the situation on the ground continued to give rise to serious concerns. These developments include a number of rulings of the Polish Constitution, the tribunal questioning the basic foundations of the EU's legal order and a number of international obligations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Věra JOUROV&Aacute;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, The commission notes, as a positive step. The fact that there is movement to address and reform the disciplinary regime in Poland. Underlying that, it is imperative that new legislation complies with EU law and solves the issues raised by the Court of Justice. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Věra JOUROV&Aacute;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, President von der Leyen announced yesterday the commission will launch the next steps in the process of protection of EU budget after reviewing the reply of government of Hungary, the informal letter sent last November.