The European Parliament is marking 70 years of democracy in action - from its first assembly in 1952 to being stronger than ever during challenging times today.

70th Anniversary of the European Parliament: 70 years of European democracy

Il-Parlament Ewropew qed ifakkar is-70 sena ta' demokrazija fl-azzjoni, mill-ewwel assemblea tiegħu fl-1952 saż-żminijiet diffiċli tal-lum fejn aktar minn qatt qabel qed juri kemm huwa b'saħħtu.

Is-70 Anniversarju tal-Parlament Ewropew: 70 sena ta' demokrazija Ewropea

Het Europees Parlement kijkt terug op zeventig jaar democratie in actie, vanaf de eerste vergadering in 1952 tot het Parlement van vandaag, dat ondanks zeer moeilijke tijden sterker staat dan ooit.

Het zeventigjarige bestaan van het Europees Parlement: Zeventig jaar Europese democratie

El Parlamento Europeo celebra sus setenta años de democracia en acción: desde su primera asamblea en 1952 hasta hoy, más fuerte que nunca en estos tiempos difíciles.

70.º aniversario del Parlamento Europeo: setenta años de democracia europea

Euroopan parlamentti juhlii 70-vuotista taivaltaan demokratiatoiminnassa: ensimmäisestä edustajakokouksesta vuonna 1952 haastaviin nykypäiviin saakka, jolloin se on vahvempi kuin koskaan.

Euroopan parlamentin 70-vuotisjuhla: 70 vuotta eurooppalaista demokratiaa

Hetvenéves fennállását ünnepli az Európai Parlament, amely a kezdeti konzultatív fórumból mára az európai demokrácia erős bástyájává vált. Erre szükség is van ezekben az embert próbáló időkben.

70 éves az Európai Parlament, az európai demokrácia letéteményese

Europaparlamentet firar 70 år av demokratiskt arbete – Från sitt första möte 1952 till våra dagars utmaningar har det växt sig starkare än någonsin.

Europaparlamentets 70-årsjubileum: 70 år av europeisk demokrati

Parlamentul European aniversează 70 de ani de democrație în acțiune: de la prima sa adunare, în 1952, până la instituția puternică de astăzi, care răzbate vremuri dificile.

Cea de-a 70-a aniversare a Parlamentului European: 70 de ani de democrație europeană

Il Parlamento europeo festeggia 70 anni di democrazia attiva, dalla sua prima assemblea, nel 1952, fino alla sua attuale presenza, più forte che mai, in questi tempi difficili.

70° anniversario del Parlamento europeo: 70 anni di democrazia europea

Eiropas Parlaments atzīmē demokrātijas 70 gadus — no pirmās asamblejas 1952. gadā līdz mūsdienu pārbaudījumiem, kas demokrātiju padarījuši spēcīgāku nekā jebkad.

Eiropas Parlamenta 70. gadadiena: Eiropas demokrātijas 70 gadi

O Parlamento Europeu assinala 70 anos de democracia em ação – desde a sua primeira assembleia, em 1952, até se tornar mais forte do que nunca nos tempos difíceis que correm.

Cerimónia do 70.º aniversário do Parlamento Europeu: 70 anos de democracia europeia

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο γιορτάζει 70 χρόνια δημοκρατίας στην πράξη - από την πρώτη του συνεδρίαση το 1952 ως το ισχυρό θεσμικό όργανο που μπορεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις προκλήσεις του σήμερα.

70ή επέτειος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου: 70 χρόνια ευρωπαϊκής δημοκρατίας

Evropski parlament praznuje 70 let demokracije. Prva skupščina je bila sestavljena leta 1952, v današnjih časih, polnih izzivov, pa je Parlament močnejši kot kdaj koli prej.

70 let Evropskega parlamenta: 70 let evropske demokracije

Europos Parlamentas švenčia veikiančios demokratijos 70 metų sukaktį – tiek laiko praėjo nuo 1952 m. įvykusios jo pirmosios asamblėjos. Per visus tuos metus jis nepaliovė stiprėti, kad įveiktų šiandienos iššūkius.

Europos Parlamento 70 metų sukaktis: 70 Europos demokratijos metų

Europa-Parlamentet markerer 70 års demokrati i praksis – fra den første forsamling i 1952 til et parlament, der i dag er stærkere end nogensinde, trods store udfordringer.

Europa-Parlamentets 70-års jubilæum: 70 år med europæisk demokrati

Европейският парламент отбелязва 70 години демокрация в действие — от първата си асамблея през 1952 година до днес, по-целеустремен от всякога в тези трудни времена.

70-ти рожден ден на Европейския парламент: 70 години демокрация в Европа

Evropský parlament se ohlíží za 70 lety demokracie v akci – od svého prvního shromáždění v roce 1952 po dnešní náročnou dobu, v níž musí být silnější než kdy jindy.

70. výročí vzniku Evropského parlamentu: 70 let evropské demokracie

Europski parlament obilježava 70 godina demokracije na djelu. Od prve Zajedničke skupštine osnovane 1952. do izazova današnjice, Parlament je snažniji nego ikad.

70. obljetnica Europskog parlamenta: 70 godina europske demokracije

Dubravka Suica, born on 20 May 1957 in Dubrovnik, is a Croatian politician who has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013.

After the hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

At each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2) TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Languages are an integral part of European Democracy. With its 27 member states and 24 official languages, Parliament has to be multilingual. Not only for its members, but also for you! It ensures equality of treatment and transparency towards its citizens. Discover more about the importance of languages and multilingualism in this package!

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

The European Union and Lebanon enjoy close political relations in the framework of an Association Agreement between the two, which has been in force since April 2006.

This agreement promotes human rights, political dialogue, free movement of goods, and economic, social and cultural cooperation. The EU is committed to supporting democracy, good governance, social inclusion, education and sustainable development in Lebanon.

EU - Lebanon

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

Nelson Mandela led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa by a multi-racial democracy. Sentenced to life in prison, he spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black President. He played a leading role in the drive for peace.He is laureate of the 1988 Sakharov Prize and of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize®.This video illustrates the relations between Nelson Mandela and the European institutions.

Nelson Mandela

COVI Special Committee - Public hearing ' The impact of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda on democracy during the pandemic '

Article 17 seminar on Liberal Democracy

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Conclusions and way forward

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Partnerships for democracy support

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Creating parliamentary democratic culture through dialogue and consensus building

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Comprehensive approach to the institutional reform and capacity development

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - What have we achieved and what have we learned?

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Closing

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Youth Talks

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Opening

LIBE Working Group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)

Press conference by Dubravka ŠUICA, EC Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner for International Partnerships on the Youth Action Plan in EU external action for

Opening event of the ICONIC exhibition - How does an iconic photo help defend democracy?

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Copenhagen Democracy Summit

Press conference by Dragos Tudorache , Lead Member Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, on programme Jean Monnet Dialogue with the Moldovan Parliament

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - European Democracy

During a public hearing of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, MEPs discuss about how to tackle misleading and false information, especially on social media, the impact of conspiracy theories on vaccine hesitancy, the role of online platforms and traditional media outlets in spreading awareness but also misinformation and disinformation around the pandemic. Extracts from the public hearing.

The impact of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda on democracy during the pandemic: extracts from the public hearing - EP Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic

MEPs vote on the following topics: 30th Anniversary of the Single Market, Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach - Adriana MALDONADO LÓPEZ (S&amp;D, ES), Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 - Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022 - Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU).

Voting session including 30th the resolution on the Anniversary of the Single Market, the report on the Consumer protection in online video games and the report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy

Parliament will award the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave People of Ukraine for their fight for freedom and democracy. &#xd;
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address MEPs via video link and members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Services, civil society as well as elected leaders will receive the award at the ceremony in Strasbourg in the name of the People of Ukraine. &#xd;
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MEPs will vote on proposals to speed up issuing renewable energy project permits and reducing the energy consumption of buildings. Both steps will help the green transition and boost energy independence. &#xd;
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Parliament is also expected to call for more robust rules to support people with disabilities. All that and more, coming up in Parliament.

Sakharov Prize, green energy permits, disabilities – coming up in Parliament

Tháinig saoránaigh a bhí i gcroílár obair na Comhdhála ar Thodhchaí na hEorpa chun na Bruiséile chun a sheiceáil conas atá institiúidí an AE ag leanúint lena moltaí maidir le hathrú. Gníomh uathúil sa daonlathas rannpháirtíochta í an Chomhdháil, agus tháinig deireadh leis an gComhdháil i mBealtaine 2022, ag seachadadh an iliomad tograí lena chinntiú go bhféadfaidh an Eoraip déileáil leis na dúshláin atá le teacht. Gheall an Pharlaimint, an Chomhairle agus an Coimisiún ón tús go ndéanfaí obair leantach ar a cuid tograí deiridh, is cuma cad iad na tograí sin. An 2 Nollaig, ghlac ionadaithe ó na trí institiúid ceisteanna ó shaoránaigh ag ócáid aiseolais i bParlaimint na hEorpa sa Bhruiséil.

Todhchaí an Aontais Eorpaigh: fiafraíonn saoránaigh de na hinstitiúidí conas a dhéanfaidh siad obair leantach ar a gcuid moltaí

Press point by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography after the end of the Feedback Event of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Conference on the Future of Europe - Feedback Event: Joint Press point by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission

The conference, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of European Parliament's democracy support activities is opened by President Roberta Metsola and bring together high-level speakers to reflect upon the lessons-earned from the past ten years and stake out the way ahead in setting future priorities and development of the European Parliament's democracy support. Extracts from the opening statements and atmosphere shots of the event, with special guests such as Pat COX, former EP President, Hauwa IBRAHIM, 2005 Sakharov Prize laureate, SAlih MAHMOUD OSMAN, 2007 Sakharov Prize Laureate and Leyla YUNUS, 2014 Sakharov finalist.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU (Democracy support and Election coordination Group (DEG)): atmosphere shots

To mark the 10th anniversary of Parliament's democracy support activities, MEPs and representatives of the democracy support community gather at a high-level event on ‘Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide: Building democratic resilience’. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the event with a speech.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU: opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs vote on several texts, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP, Motion for resolution - Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar.

Voting session, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, and state of play of the Hungarian RRP

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144). The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus.

The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144). MEPs debate the Human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions.

The Human rights situation in Afghanistan: deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions

This slideshow celebrates the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament.

Slideshow: European Parliament - 70 years of European democracy in action

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Second part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. First part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government on Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

External and internal shots with illustrations of EP buildings, flags, corridors, chamber and logos "70 years of European democracy in action",

EP Plenary session (21-24/11): editing shots

Parliament is set to mark its 70 years at the heart of European democracy at a special ceremony.   &#xd;
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Members will vote on new rules to better protect the EU’s critical infrastructure from external threats. The sectors covered include energy, water management, healthcare, finance, public administration and even space.  &#xd;
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Parliament will finalise new rules aiming to raise the proportion of women in non-executive positions in the EU’s biggest companies.  &#xd;
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MEPs will also vote on the 2023 EU budget and on a resolution calling on the EU to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Parliament at 70, gender equality and budget – coming up in Parliament

Press conference on the latest developments of the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary. Statements by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP,FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, and by Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference on the EU Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&amp;D, ES), co-rapporteurs, Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE) and by Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

Ag teaspeáint 55 torthaí cainéil do ""democracy""

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Rule of law (2020)

Election Observation Missions

EU - Lebanon

International election observation

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

Nelson Mandela