During the plenary session of the European Parliament (10-13/09/2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate the rule of law in Hungary with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister, before deciding whether the EU must act to counter the risk of a serious breach of EU values. If backed by MEPs, this would be the first time that Parliament takes the initiative of recommending that Article 7 be activated. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

LEGUTKO, Ryszard Antoni (ECR, PL)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

BULLMANN, Udo (S&D, DE)

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

EU - Hungary (T)

Situation in Hungary: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), The EPP has always supported the debate here in the House in regards to Hungary. We are always working constructively with Roberta Metsola in the LIBE Committee on preparation of the document which is on our table. We always supported Viviane Reding, in previous times and Frans Timmermans today when it is about the infringement procedures, and in the past, I have to say Hungary was always ready to compromise. So my political family will finally decide this evening about our voting list for tomorrow, but I have to tell everybody without the readiness of the Hungarian government to solve the current issues, the legal concerns which are on the table, the start of a dialogue based on Article 7(1) could be needed.

SOUNDBITE (German), Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE), I am hugely irritated when I listen to Mr. Orb&aacute;n, because he hasn&rsquo;t understood what this debate is about. We are having this debate because this House is defending the rights and freedoms of citizens in Hungary. Because Hungary and its citizens are the centre of the European Union. We are not having this debate because we disrespect the people of Hungary, quite the opposite. We need to talk to you about why their rights are constantly being violated.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), As before the resolution that you have read, at least some of you must have read it, is so biased, I mean to say it is biased it&rsquo;s just an understatement. It is exclusively based on the information from anti- Fidesz groups and the argument of the majority of the replies of the Hungarian government have been simply ignored. And this is a regular practice here. This has been done in the case of Poland too. The replies of the government have been thrown into the basket, they are just not taken into account.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), Let&rsquo;s be honest between each other, the inconvenient truth is that under these circumstances it would be impossible today Mr. Orb&aacute;n that Hungary could join the European Union. That is the reality of today. And what I really ask you to do so, because I like Hungary, I like certainly the Hungarian literature and culture, that is in any way to stop to say here, &rsquo;oh it&rsquo;s an action against Hungary, action against the Hungarian people. You are not Hungary, you are the government of Hungary and the leader of a political party. And Hungary is far more and far more eternal than you are.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Prime Minister, it isn&rsquo;t about Hungary or the Hungarian people, it is the actions taken by the government of Hungary and I know an awful lot of Hungarians who do not recognise themselves in that. And under democracy, just because you have that doesn&rsquo;t mean any of your actions is legitimate. So neither nepotism or the abuse of European funds or the violations of academic values, nor the stifling of independent media and NGO&rsquo;s nor the attacks against the judiciary are compatible with European values.