Poland promises to protect Hungary against EU sanctions
Poland will vote against any possible sanctions against Hungary coming from European organizations, said Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz in a statement that was published on the Ministry’s website. Earlier, the European Parliament took an unprecedented decision to impose sanctions against Hungary for the “destruction of democratic institutions.”
The Polish Foreign Ministry expressed its concern at the European Parliament’s decision. “Each EU Member State has a sovereign right to carry out the internal reforms that it considers appropriate,” the statement read.
“Measures taken against Member States lead only to the deepening of divisions within the European Union, by increasing the current distrust of citizens in European institutions. Poland will vote against any possible sanctions to be imposed on Hungary within the European institutions.” the Foreign Ministry assured.
Earlier on Wednesday, September 12, the European Parliament initiated the process that could lead to temporarily deprive Budapest of the right to vote. The process concerns the first part of Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union that states: “on a reasoned proposal by one third of the Member States, by the European Parliament or by the European Commission, the Council, acting by a majority of four fifths of its members after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2. Before making such a determination, the Council shall hear the Member State in question and may address recommendations to it, acting in accordance with the same procedure.” The policy of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban raised deep concerns of several EU member states.
The EU also criticized the “Stop Soros” law that was adopted by the Hungarian Parliament in late June. The law makes it a crime for non-commercial organizations to assist illegal migrants. A set of amendments was name Stop Soros after Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros whose Open Society foundation provided assistance to illegal migrants.