Europe's centre-right suspends Hungary's ruling party

[webfact]

Europe's centre-right suspends Hungary's ruling party

By Marton Dunai

 

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a news conference after a European People Party Political Assembly on the Hungary's Fidesz party in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Eva Plevier

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament's main centre-right grouping voted on Wednesday to suspend Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz Party until further notice amid concerns that it has violated EU principles on the rule of law.

 

The decision by the European People's Party (EPP) came after calls both from allies, political opponents and rights groups for Orban's party to be disciplined over its anti-immigration campaigns and controversial changes to the judicial system.

 

The group agreed to appoint three elder statesmen to examine whether Hungary infringed the EPP's democratic standards.

 

The three will report after May's European Parliament elections, meaning that the fractious EPP should be able to present a united front while campaigning.

 

"Fidesz will have no say any more on the EPP's political approach," said Manfred Weber, the party's lead candidate in the elections, of the deal reached between Fidesz and the EPP's other member parties under which Fidesz will not attend party meetings, vote or propose candidates.

 

Orban, a nationalist who has often clashed with the European Union over his anti-immigration campaigns and judicial reforms, cast the suspension as a victory, saying he had beaten back an "attack" by the 13, mainly northern European conservative parties that had called for his expulsion.

 

"We voluntarily agreed to suspend our participation" until the committee reports, Orban told a news conference after the decision. "I sat through the meeting with the departure letter in my right hand. I'd have walked over and handed it over if we'd been excluded."

 

For Orban, membership in the group gives him mainstream respectability and influence that other European populists lack. He had threatened earlier in the day to quit the EPP if Fidesz were suspended.

 

The suspension was not enough for critics of the EPP, who say it stood by as Orban dismantled democratic norms and the rule of law in Hungary.

 

"This is a suspension for three months just to wait out the European elections in two months time after nine years of breaking down democracy and the rule of law," said Dutch Green Judith Sargentini, the European Parliament's point person on Hungary.

 

Weber is looking to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission after the elections. If Fidesz had been expelled his chances would have been reduced since he would not have the votes of the Hungarian party's European lawmakers - who currently number 12.

 

Orban said there had been no discussion of the substance of policies that many in the EPP have criticised, including Fidesz's anti-immigration stance and attacks on Juncker.

 

Juncker was the target of a Hungarian government poster campaign depicting him as a proponent of mass immigration into Europe and as a puppet manipulated by Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, Juncker repeated his call for Fidesz to be kicked out of the EPP, telling German radio "I think that Mr Orban is a long way from basic Christian Democratic values".

 

(Additional reporting by Madeline Chambers and Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Gergely Szakacs in Budapest; Writing by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Gareth Jones and Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-21

[simple1]

Excellent!

[thaibeachlovers]

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

The group agreed to appoint three elder statesmen to examine whether Hungary infringed the EPP's democratic standards.

Far as I'm aware, those standards are created by an unelected cabal in Brussels.

They have been out to get Hungary ever since they wouldn't toe the line on immigration.

 

So much for democracy. Sooner Britain escapes from the tyranny of Brussels the better for the UK.

[sabian]

Or did they suspend him cause there was a good chance he would Vito the U.K. extension on Brexit and scupper the EU’s plan to get May’s horrible deal through......

 

[Guest Jerry787]

well done

[mercman24]

Why well done, ? the dictators from Brussels, weilding the big stick, to a guy who is trying to protect his country from immigration invasion, just look around at the state of europe now, ,thanks to the clown MERKEL., every country suffering , they do not integrate at all, with no go areas in most countries. have not paid one penny into society and get money thrown at them. PUTIN  has the right idea.

[simple1]

14 minutes ago, mercman24 said:

PUTIN  has the right idea.

Which is?

[usviphotography]

Good. Don't know why Fidesz remained in a Globalsits Euro Group in the first place. They are now clearly more aligned with the European Patriots such as Lega and the Front National. ENF is where they belong. 

[seahorse]

European "democracy" in action. Woe betide anyone who disagrees with the circlejerk. 

[simple1]

10 minutes ago, usviphotography said:

European Patriots such as Lega and the Front National.

LOL - their collaboration with Putin makes them 'patriots' ????

[usviphotography]

1 minute ago, simple1 said:

LOL - their collaboration with Putin makes them 'patriots' ????

Putin is a strong proponent of European Nationalism, so yes, it does. Putin is not responsible for a single problem affecting the EU. That is all the doing of people like Merkel and Macron. 

[Jimbo1964]

Yep. Nothing to do with the EU wanting to stop them vetoing the extension of article 50 for Brexit. True EU "lack-of" democracy in action. Waiting to see what they do to Italy next.

[simple1]

31 minutes ago, usviphotography said:

Putin is a strong proponent of European Nationalism, so yes, it does. Putin is not responsible for a single problem affecting the EU. That is all the doing of people like Merkel and Macron. 

Nothing quite like attempting to rewrite history.

[candide]

14 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Far as I'm aware, those standards are created by an unelected cabal in Brussels.

They have been out to get Hungary ever since they wouldn't toe the line on immigration.

 

So much for democracy. Sooner Britain escapes from the tyranny of Brussels the better for the UK.

 

6 hours ago, mercman24 said:

Why well done, ? the dictators from Brussels, weilding the big stick, to a guy who is trying to protect his country from immigration invasion, just look around at the state of europe now, ,thanks to the clown MERKEL., every country suffering , they do not integrate at all, with no go areas in most countries. have not paid one penny into society and get money thrown at them. PUTIN  has the right idea.

Obviously you did not notice that the EPP is a group of elected members of the European Parliament. Lol

 

You also did not notice that Orban is a proto-fascist who introduced reforms in the judiciary that would probably lead you to gake the street it they wouldnbe introduced in UK....

[stevenl]

16 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Far as I'm aware, those standards are created by an unelected cabal in Brussels.

They have been out to get Hungary ever since they wouldn't toe the line on immigration.

 

So much for democracy. Sooner Britain escapes from the tyranny of Brussels the better for the UK.

No. EPP is a coalition of parties from European countries. All those members of the EPP are chosen by the voters in their respective countries.

And the ELP has standards under which they cooperate, which Orban has repeatedly broken. If his party dies get expelled it is from the EPP, they can still represent Hungary in the European parliament, as an independent party.

[Prissana Pescud]

This is what a mob of unelected morons can do to a sovereign country. 

If you do not understand that EU is ruled by a ruthless unelected cabal, then try and educate yourself quickly.

 EU has run its course, only France and Germany gain overall. The rest of you are scum

[luckyluke]

20 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So much for democracy. Sooner Britain escapes from the tyranny of Brussels the better for the UK.

I suppose the Leavers are not convinced that democracy is so much better represented in the U.K..

Of course 2 wrongs don't make 1 right. 

[bomber]

25 minutes ago, Prissana Pescud said:

This is what a mob of unelected morons can do to a sovereign country. 

If you do not understand that EU is ruled by a ruthless unelected cabal, then try and educate yourself quickly.

 EU has run its course, only France and Germany gain overall. The rest of you are scum

then why are they not all leaving? 

[Prissana Pescud]

33 minutes ago, bomber said:

then why are they not all leaving? 

Because as you can see daily in the UK, the noose of EU is tied around the neck.

There are many countries that are destitute because of EU.

Lets see how many countries are more than struggling.

Italy, Baltics, Greece, Ireland and all the "eastern states" including Hungary.

Have you got it Heinkel? Because your Utopia is a dud.

And every week your immigration policy results in Jihad deaths.

And that is because you thought EU would give you unlimited cheap labour from Islam countries.

And you supremists thought wrong - again. Islam is fighting back and the next war zone is EU countries.

[bomber]

27 minutes ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Because as you can see daily in the UK, the noose of EU is tied around the neck.

There are many countries that are destitute because of EU.

Lets see how many countries are more than struggling.

Italy, Baltics, Greece, Ireland and all the "eastern states" including Hungary.

Have you got it Heinkel? Because your Utopia is a dud.

And every week your immigration policy results in Jihad deaths.

And that is because you thought EU would give you unlimited cheap labour from Islam countries.

And you supremists thought wrong - again. Islam is fighting back and the next war zone is EU countries.

if they are that destitute then they will apply be leave,even greece didnt do that,jihadi deaths are a result of the US and the UK toppling goverments that kept the peace not the EU,also nobody thought islam countries would give cheap labour,if they want cheap labour they would set up businesses in eastern europe as many have,and ireland is doing just fine as are the baltic and eastern european nations,sorry to inform you but any war with islam will involve the US and the UK more than the EU and her members as we have already seen in recent years,i think you have issue's my friend.

[candide]

1 hour ago, Prissana Pescud said:

This is what a mob of unelected morons can do to a sovereign country. 

If you do not understand that EU is ruled by a ruthless unelected cabal, then try and educate yourself quickly.

 EU has run its course, only France and Germany gain overall. The rest of you are scum

Lol. ????

There are two posts before yours that explain that they have been expelled by a political group of elected members of the European parliament.

Maybe you should update your knowledge...

https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies_en

[Prissana Pescud]

10 minutes ago, bomber said:

if they are that destitute then they will apply be leave,even greece didnt do that,jihadi deaths are a result of the US and the UK toppling goverments that kept the peace not the EU,also nobody thought islam countries would give cheap labour,if they want cheap labour they would set up businesses in eastern europe as many have,and ireland is doing just fine as are the baltic and eastern european nations,sorry to inform you but any war with islam will involve the US and the UK more than the EU and her members as we have already seen in recent years,i think you have issue's my friend.

I am not your friend Hans. If you could please make spacing between words in your comments,

it would be easier to try to make sense of your post.  

As it is, it appears to be nonsense regardless of your lack of English prose.

Nothing against you Fritz, but I think I have worked out what you tried to write.

Just as an aside, what EU countries suffer attacks weekly from Islam.

And Islam feels so bad about US that it attacks EU? Sorry, your post is lame. 

[yogi100]

13 hours ago, mercman24 said:

Why well done, ? the dictators from Brussels, weilding the big stick, to a guy who is trying to protect his country from immigration invasion, just look around at the state of europe now, ,thanks to the clown MERKEL., every country suffering , they do not integrate at all, with no go areas in most countries. have not paid one penny into society and get money thrown at them. PUTIN  has the right idea.

The main issues the UK is facing right now, Brexit, knife crime and terrorist attacks are ongoing consequences of immigration.

 

Orban has got it absolutely right. The European Commission have got it 100% wrong. How many murders and terrorist attacks linked to immigrants has Hungary experienced in recent years compared to the UK, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

 

More power to your elbow Viktor.

[Prissana Pescud]

22 minutes ago, candide said:

Lol. ????

There are two posts before yours that explain that they have been expelled by a political group of elected members of the European parliament.

Maybe you should update your knowledge...

https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies_en

Please explain to me who voted for the political scum in the EU. Certainly not one member of the population.

Err, that is not democracy. Democracy is the people who elect people to rule, not the sham that rules now.

Disregarding all the rules that the "people" voted for in their own country. This is what Brexit is all about,

not simple overriding of the very basics of a countries laws, culture, social demands, economic rules and so.

This is up to a country to debate and pass laws, not an unelected cabal to dictate and rule from a foreign country. 

[bomber]

6 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

The main issues the UK is facing right now, Brexit, knife crime and terrorist attacks are ongoing consequences of immigration.

 

Orban has got it absolutely right. The European Commission have got it 100% wrong. How many murders and terrorist attacks linked to immigrants has Hungary experienced in recent years compared to the UK, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

 

More power to your elbow Viktor.

knife crime in the UK is home grown,UK nationals usually gangs in london 2nd and 3rd generation windrush so not linked to recent immigration,any terrorist's are usually british born pakistani's from yorkshire or true england as its referred to by a member on here,to blame the EU just shows your lack of brain cells,but you are a brekiteer

[Prissana Pescud]

2 hours ago, luckyluke said:

I suppose the Leavers are not convinced that democracy is so much better represented in the U.K..

Of course 2 wrongs don't make 1 right. 

EU used to mean a common market. That is all countries of Europe working together to create a sustainable,

economic and beneficial outcome to all EU countries.

Well that went down the gurgler. Now this bunch of idiots imposes laws on migration, rights, trade, who you can sell to, price caps

and everything that is not a free market. They stiffle free trade. Communist ideals that do not work 

[candide]

4 hours ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Please explain to me who voted for the political scum in the EU. Certainly not one member of the population.

Err, that is not democracy. Democracy is the people who elect people to rule, not the sham that rules now.

Disregarding all the rules that the "people" voted for in their own country. This is what Brexit is all about,

not simple overriding of the very basics of a countries laws, culture, social demands, economic rules and so.

This is up to a country to debate and pass laws, not an unelected cabal to dictate and rule from a foreign country. 

The OP is not about the European Commission, it is about elected MEPs suspending other MEPs from participating in their political group at the European Parliament.

Instead of ranting about another matter than the OP, check what Orban has done concerning freedom of the Judiciary, Freedom of press, etc... And tell us if you would like the same to happen in your country. 

[malagateddy]

At least the British people can VOTE OUT a Govt. they don't want every few years..as hopefully we will see very soon[emoji6]

I suppose the Leavers are not convinced that democracy is so much better represented in the U.K..
Of course 2 wrongs don't make 1 right. 

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[usviphotography]

34 minutes ago, candide said:

The OP is not about the European Commission, it is about elected MEPs suspending other MEPs from participating in their political group at the European Parliament.

True. The reality is Orban has for years tried to play both sides of the coin- throwing nationalist red meat to his constituents in and effort to suppress support for Jobbik while remaining tight the EU to avoid risking the loss of any EU shekels. In the past year he has gotten bolder with his Nationalism, but that is more to due with Salvini's rise and keeping up with the Zeitgeist of the continent rather than any personal bravery on Orban's part. He's one of the better politicians in Europe from a policy standpoint, but make no mistake he is a politician through and through and by no means someone who can be trusted. Most everything good about him is because of pressure from Jobbik and the fear that if he doesn't do the right thing, they will replace him the same way Lega replaced the Center Right in Italy. Given the shift of the past year, being part of the same coalition as Merkel's CDU was frankly an embarrassment for his party anyway, and they did him a favor.  

[tomacht8]

It fits well with the picture that Hungary, under Viktor Orbán, is threatening to become the first kleptocratic state within the EU. As in Putin's Russia, state resources are distributed on a large scale to the Prime Minister's family and relatives.

 

The company Elios, for example, was commissioned to renovate street lighting with EU funds. Even where the lighting was actually completely intact. The boss of the company is the son-in-law of Viktor Orbán. Now, the European Anti-Corruption Authority Olaf recommends that the EU reclaim a total of 40 million euros.

The EU has now launched more than 1,300 infringement cases against Hungary. Last year alone, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigated 13 major cases. Each time, however, the country came away without any restriction of co-determination rights or a future cut in aid. In the EU Commission, it is therefore said Orbán is the smartest nationalist within the Union. His advisors would know quite well how to circumvent EU law without consequences and take advantage of the benefits of the Union.

Hungary receives the highest per capita support in the entire Union. Around 30 billion euros have been transferred from the EU budget to Hungary over the past seven years. The subsidies amount to almost four and a half percent of Hungarian gross domestic product annually. None of the other 27 EU member states benefits more in this regard.

Economists estimate that 20-30% of EU funds went into Urban's private pockets through friends and family members.

High time to set the thumb screws on or throw him out of the EU.