{"id":313,"date":"2020-12-10T14:10:39","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T12:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4h4n9.ahang.hu\/en\/?p=313"},"modified":"2020-12-10T14:10:50","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T12:10:50","slug":"statement-by-akcja-demokracja-and-ahang-regarding-the-compromise-on-the-rule-of-law-conditionality-mechanism-currently-negotiated-at-the-euco-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4h4n9.ahang.hu\/en\/democracy\/statement-by-akcja-demokracja-and-ahang-regarding-the-compromise-on-the-rule-of-law-conditionality-mechanism-currently-negotiated-at-the-euco-summit\/2020\/12\/10\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement by Akcja Demokracja and aHang regarding the compromise on the rule of law conditionality mechanism currently negotiated at the EUCO Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"
10 Dec 2020, 12:00. Brussels, Warsaw, Budapest.<\/strong><\/p>\n The cost of the Warsaw-Berlin-Budapest compromise to EU citizens and Europe who need to see assurance of democratic institutions working according to the rule of law to guarantee stability against the rising threats of authoritarianism is tremendous and hence must be rejected:<\/p>\n Though a non-legally binding political declaration, the Warsaw-Berlin-Budapest compromise, aims to legalise the jeopardizing of the Rule of Law mechanism. It also aims to overturn a legally binding decision taken by the European Parliament.<\/strong> To agree for Hungary\/Poland to lift their veto on the EU budget, against the assurance that the new Rule of Law mechanism won’t be applied until the ECJ will define the ‘methodology’ to be applied, is not only unprecedented, and highly irregular from a legal perspective, it is a threat to European democracy and decision-making.<\/p>\n European leaders who work to defend the rule of law should firmly reject this dangerous compromise. If they were to accept it, then ultimately it would run against the very will of Europe’s citizens – 77% insist for EU funds to be linked to the Rule of Law mechanism. Importantly, the compromise betrays Polish and Hungarian citizens who have been fighting for the rule of law and it shows that Europe does not want to stand up for their rights and values.<\/strong><\/p>\n In July 2020 the European Council (including Poland and Hungary) agreed on the principle of a rule of law mechanism which was subsequently sent to the EU Parliament and the Commission to legislate. Hence the current compromise runs against the treaty because political leaders are imposing a political statement against a ruling by the European parliament. The Warsaw-Berlin-Budapest compromise, if accepted, is in breach of the principle of legality as EUCO can\u2019t decide for the Commission and Parliament and suspend an act. It is also in breach of the principle of legal certainty, as rules must be clear and ultimately this means that it is in breach of the rule of law. It is now urgent for the European Parliament to intervene and insist for the compromise to be rejected.<\/p>\n It is unacceptable that the autocratic leaders Orban and Morawiecki are left to use the tool of fear to blackmail Europeans with their vetoing of the budget over the rule of law mechanism. It would be even more unacceptable if Europe\u2019 leaders were to cave in to this.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerg\u0151 Hajd\u00fa, activist and campaign director at the Hungarian campaign organisation aHang:<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMr. Orb\u00e1n keeps saying that he represents the interest of the Hungarian people. As a matter of fact, it’s not true. He’s representing himself and his own small circle of oligarchs and family who are the main beneficiaries of EU funds. There is no healthy competition, no innovation, no 21st century education, it’s only the prime minister’s small circle that he dominates that keeps him in power. Hungary is far, far away from the optimal utilization of EU funds because of him. Mr. Orb\u00e1n rules with a two third majority with less than 50% of the votes. He is now trying to get away with a completely unacceptable compromise with Germany to secure his re-election in 2022. It\u2019s not about Hungarian sovereignty, it\u2019s not about a fight for ideological freedom, it is only about money to finance elections. If the compromise is accepted, the EU will experience how Mr. Orb\u00e1n or anyone else can take the European community hostage in the future. Again and again and again.\u201d <\/p>\n