Infertility treatments in Hungary: European Commission demands action
The European Commission has called on Hungary to comply with EU rules on medically assisted reproduction by sending a reasoned opinion to the Hungarian government for allowing only state-owned or state-operated institutions to provide infertility treatment from June 2022. These restrictions put Hungary in breach of Article 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which guarantees the freedom of establishment.
According to the European Commission, these provisions cannot be justified by public interest considerations, such as the need to protect public health or public order. The Commission said that the Hungarian authorities had failed to demonstrate that private providers had not previously provided safe and high-quality reproductive services. Moreover, the changes did not improve access to procedures, as the reduction in the number of providers had the opposite effect.
The European Commission also stated that Hungary’s restrictive legislation is not in line with EU values and principles. The Commission has given Hungary two months to respond and take the necessary measures. If the response is not satisfactory, the case could be referred to the EU Court of Justice.
Shortcomings in Hungarian aviation safety
The European Commission has sent another warning to Hungary, this time over civil aviation safety. According to the Commission, Hungary does not comply with the technical and administrative requirements of EU legislation on the operation of aircraft. The EU expressed concern that there are insufficient trained staff to properly supervise operators holding aviation licences.
According to the report, the Hungarian authorities have not put in place a sound management system to ensure adequate controls and audits. In addition, they do not always ensure compliance of the organisations concerned before issuing certificates, licences and approvals. These shortcomings may seriously jeopardise air safety.
The European Commission also considers that Hungary has failed to ensure that quality control systems meet EU standards. A letter of formal notice has been sent and the country has been given two months to respond and improve the situation. If the shortcomings are not remedied in time, the Commission may impose further sanctions.
European Union Laws and Hungary
Both cases illustrate the tensions between the European Union and Hungary in the area of legal harmonisation. The restrictions on medically assisted reproduction and the disregard for aviation safety requirements also show that the Hungarian government deviates from EU standards in a number of areas. The European Commission considers these measures to be not only illegal but also decisions that run counter to the interests of citizens.
The European Commission wants to ensure that EU citizens have free access to the services they need and that safety standards are respected. The coming months could be crucial for the Hungarian government, which could face serious legal consequences if the controversial rules are maintained. The European Commission could refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which could bring further international attention to Hungary.
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