Brussels
04 April 2022
The results of the Hungarian general elections, which saw the governing party consolidating power above a constitutional 2/3 majority and a new far-right party entering parliament, are the conclusion of a slow but systematic process of democratic backsliding. From the concentration of resources in the hands of the ruling political community to the destruction of the free and pluralistic media landscape, Hungary’s ruling party Fidesz has turned the country in a democratic empty shell.
The EU must continue its support to all citizens and civil society organisations fighting daily for the restauration of democratic standards, but it cannot allow Orbán and its government to continue using EU funds to strengthen their grip on power and on the country’s economy.
Thomas Waitz, Co-Chair of the European Green Party and MEP comments:
"Orbán’s kleptocracy has access to a constant flow of EU funding. The EU must close the money tap which benefits a small, corrupted elite.
“Orbán’s attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy last night are another evidence that Fidesz stands on the wrong side of history. Hungarian citizens are presented constantly with a sadly clownish propaganda-fueled version of what is happening in Europe. As long as the EU doesn’t act more firmly, Hungarian citizens will not be allowed to make free informed choices about their future.”
"It cannot be that Hungary, as an EU Member State, continues to undermine the rule of law, constantly increases the pressure on civil society organisations critical of the government, and further restricts media pluralism. The European Parliament will debate its ongoing proceeding against Hungary this week. We will continue to call on the European Commission very clearly to urgently live up to its role as "guardian of the treaties" and to make it unequivocally clear to the Hungarian government that it has committed itself to respecting European values by joining the EU."
END
Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
