Poland stands up for Hungary against EU sanctions
By Yu Yang
People's Daily app
1536866486000

EU Bloc.jpeg

The European Parliament after a vote in Strasbourg, France, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. (Photo: AP)

Warsaw (People’s Daily) -- The European Parliament on Wednesday voted to launch punitive actions against Hungary for breaching the bloc’s core values.

It is the first time ever the European Union legislature has triggered the disciplinary Article 7 procedure against a member state.

If the motion, written by Dutch Greens Member of European Parliament Judith Sargentini, passed in European Parliament, the Hungarian government may lost its EU voting rights.

The motion highlights Hungary's alleged breaches of floating EU rules on democracy, such as control over the courts, government intervention into media, the threat to academic freedom and the curtailed rights of migrants.

Hungary has become the first EU member to have a disciplinary procedure launched against it by the European Parliament for violating their democratic norms. 

It’s not likely EU states are on the same page with the sanction against Hungary.

Poland, facing a similar process, has already said it will oppose any sanctions imposed by the bloc on Hungary.

Actions against both Poland and Hungary were taken amid the rise of far-right political parties within the EU.

“Every country has its sovereign right to make internal reforms it deems appropriate,” Poland’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The European Council has the power to decide if there is "a clear risk of a serious breach" when four-fifths of its member states vote in favor after hearing Hungary. Alternatively, it may determine "the existence of a serious and persistent breach" if all members, other than Hungary, vote for it. In the event that it does happen,, the Council can, in a separate vote, block Hungary's voting rights with a qualified majority.