Fidesz MEPs criticize EU’s Balkans policy, COVID measures, and journalists’ rights
Fidesz MEPs Launch Attack on European Commission Policies
By [Author Name]
The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing Fidesz, the ruling party in Hungary led by Viktor Orbán, have begun a full-scale attack on several policies of the European Commission. This comes after Fidesz decided to leave the European People’s Party (EPP) earlier this year to avoid possible exclusion. However, their coalition partner, KDNP’s MEP György Hölvényi, remained with the EPP.
With the upcoming EP elections, Fidesz has already started its campaign. Yesterday, their MEPs voiced their criticisms against the European Commission’s policies in a strong manner.
One of the issues raised by Fidesz MEPs is the European Union’s approach to the complex problems of the Western Balkans. Kinga Gál, an MEP of Fidesz, called for a more sensitive approach in light of the current geopolitical situation. Gál criticized the European Commission’s 2022 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, describing it as “unbalanced” and “intensifying conflicts instead of easing tensions.” She emphasized the need for dialogue based on mutual understanding instead of “lecturing and threats of sanctions.”
Gál also addressed the issue of Hungarian companies being criticized in the EP’s “unbalanced” report, where they are being conflated with Chinese companies from outside the EU. She called it “unacceptable” and pointed out that this report is being used for an ideologically based attack against the commissioner for enlargement. Gál urged meaningful support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the best way to provide this support is by speeding up the EU’s enlargement process.
In another development, Ernő Schaller-Baross, an MEP of Fidesz, reacted to a bill adopted by the European Parliament on stronger protections against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). He criticized the bill, stating that it grants “unprecedented privileges” to journalists, human rights activists, researchers, and artists. Schaller-Baross argued that these actors should not be exempt from the jurisdiction of member states and should not be granted such privileges.
The MEPs of Fidesz also indicated their dissatisfaction with Europe’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Edina Tóth, an MEP of Fidesz, highlighted delays in the European Union’s response and criticized the report prepared by a special committee assessing the lessons learnt from the pandemic. Tóth stated that the report did not address the issues affecting European people the most and made exaggerated and erroneous statements about the EU’s performance. She called for a real investigation of the facts instead of attacking the member states.
As the EP elections draw near, Fidesz is actively making its stance known and voicing its criticisms against various policies of the European Commission. It remains to be seen how these actions will shape the political landscape in Hungary and the European Union as a whole.
