European Parliament to Join Legal Action Against Hungary Over Sovereignty Law
The European Parliament's legal committee votes to support the European Commission's case against Hungary's sovereignty protection law.
On Tuesday, the legal committee of the European Parliament (EP) voted in favor of the institution joining a case against Hungary at the Court of Justice of the European Union over the country's sovereignty protection law.
This decision follows a prior political agreement, with the committee now formally endorsing the action.
Reports indicate that during the closed-door vote, 19 members supported the move, with one abstention and one vote against.
The case was initiated by the European Commission, which argues that the sovereignty protection law contravenes EU law.
This marks the latest step in a infringement procedure that the Commission began shortly after the law's adoption at the end of 2023. Despite prior discussions, Hungary did not adequately address the Commission's concerns, leading to the matter being escalated to the courts.
Proponents of the law in Hungary contend that the newly established Sovereignty Protection Authority is intended to defend the nation against foreign influence.
However, there have been accusations that the authority's actions have predominantly targeted civilians and journalists under the guise of protecting Hungarian sovereignty, as pointed out by the authority itself led by Tamás Lánczi.
The European Commission and now the European Parliament argue that the authority's activities are largely exempt from judicial review and that the law creates a discord between Hungarian and non-Hungarian activities and interests.
This is in conflict with the EU's prohibition on discrimination, a principle that the European Parliament aims to uphold.
For the European Parliament to officially join the case as a legal party alongside the Commission, the President of the EP must authorize the legal representatives to proceed.
In response to inquiries, the EP's press office confirmed that President Roberta Metsola will abide by the committee's recommendation as is customary.
Additionally, Member States can also join the case to express agreement with the Commission's position.
So far, the governments of the Czech Republic and Denmark have formally joined the litigation.
Sources in Brussels indicate that other countries might also join prior to the deadline of February 27. The Finnish and Dutch parliaments are expected to vote on the matter within the week.
A coalition of civil society organizations recently sent a letter to the French government, urging one of the EU's key member states to express its support in this legal endeavor.
This decision follows a prior political agreement, with the committee now formally endorsing the action.
Reports indicate that during the closed-door vote, 19 members supported the move, with one abstention and one vote against.
The case was initiated by the European Commission, which argues that the sovereignty protection law contravenes EU law.
This marks the latest step in a infringement procedure that the Commission began shortly after the law's adoption at the end of 2023. Despite prior discussions, Hungary did not adequately address the Commission's concerns, leading to the matter being escalated to the courts.
Proponents of the law in Hungary contend that the newly established Sovereignty Protection Authority is intended to defend the nation against foreign influence.
However, there have been accusations that the authority's actions have predominantly targeted civilians and journalists under the guise of protecting Hungarian sovereignty, as pointed out by the authority itself led by Tamás Lánczi.
The European Commission and now the European Parliament argue that the authority's activities are largely exempt from judicial review and that the law creates a discord between Hungarian and non-Hungarian activities and interests.
This is in conflict with the EU's prohibition on discrimination, a principle that the European Parliament aims to uphold.
For the European Parliament to officially join the case as a legal party alongside the Commission, the President of the EP must authorize the legal representatives to proceed.
In response to inquiries, the EP's press office confirmed that President Roberta Metsola will abide by the committee's recommendation as is customary.
Additionally, Member States can also join the case to express agreement with the Commission's position.
So far, the governments of the Czech Republic and Denmark have formally joined the litigation.
Sources in Brussels indicate that other countries might also join prior to the deadline of February 27. The Finnish and Dutch parliaments are expected to vote on the matter within the week.
A coalition of civil society organizations recently sent a letter to the French government, urging one of the EU's key member states to express its support in this legal endeavor.
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