LIBE Hearing on Hungary Produces No Outcome

A fair hearing, balance and proportionality, careful attention to facts, and respect for the European Commission as the legitimate guardian of the European Treaties seem to be of little importance to the MEPs who have now become familiar faces behind the cause to question the government of Hungary. The glaring imbalance in the choice of panelists and the disproportionate amount of time provided for responding to the charges leveled against Hungary seriously undermined the credibility of today’s hearing. Over the last few years, legislation in Hungary has been carefully monitored by the European Commission. No other EU country has seen such scrutiny. As a result, the Commission dismissed most concerns as unfounded, or in just a few cases, the government of Hungary reached a compromise with the Commission on amending legislation. Imbalanced, unfair hearings and the rehashing of concerns already addressed does serious damage to the credibility of the European Parliament. It is the European Commission's role to carry out its duties as the guardian of the Treaties. Having won three major elections in 2014 by landslide proportions, including taking 51 percent of the vote in the European Parliamentary elections in May, Hungary’s governing parties enjoy unquestionable popular legitimacy. Exploiting the institution of the European Parliament to entertain politically motivated attacks on Hungary’s democratically elected government must come to an end.