EU Commissioner Věra Jourová has criticized Hungary for lack of democracy. Now Prime Minister Viktor Obrán is demanding that she resign.
In an interview with German Bild last week, EU Commissioner Věra Jourová described Hungary as a sick democracy. Jourová, who is in charge of the rule of law within the Commission, also questioned whether Hungarians can form an independent opinion as Hungarian media are not allowed to criticize their own government.
It’s completely oacceptable statements, the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán thinks. In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he called it a political attack and a breach of the EU Treaty. In the letter, Orbán demands that Věra Jourová resign and writes that the Hungarian government suspend all bilateral contacts with her.
It is extremely unusual for a Member State to demand the resignation of a Commissioner, even though Hungary and Viktor Orbán did so on one occasion earlier a few years ago.
National governments do not have the power to remove commissioners. It is the role of the European Parliament to examine and approve the Commission with the Commissioners as a whole.
And it will no sign that Jourová was about to leave. At today’s press conference, the Commission’s spokesperson said that she has the full support of President Ursula von der Leyen.
– Ursula von der Leyen works closely with Věra Jourová on the issue of the rule of law and she has her full support.
The escalating quarrel is taking place at the same time as the Commission is to present its first report on the rule of law in the EU countries. It is Věra Jourová who will present it tomorrow.
And this is happening at the same time as the EU is discussing the issue of withdrawing support for member states that are considered to be violating the rule of law, which Hungary opposes.