Germany supports Hungary losing its veto in the European Union
Germany supports Hungary losing its veto in the EU. The country’s veto on foreign policy and security issues would be taken away, as ministers discussed in Brussels on Tuesday.
Hungary should lose its veto in the EU
Germany supports Hungary losing its veto in the European Union, Germany’s European Affairs Minister Anna Lührmann told Euronews. European Union ministers debated in Brussels on Tuesday whether to abolish the veto power of certain countries in foreign policy and security matters. The Euronews article recalls that Hungary has blocked EU foreign policy decisions and statements on Russia, China and Turkey on several occasions in recent years.
The country has blocked decisions
Lührmann explained that Hungary has already blocked several important decisions in the European Council. “We must show Russia that we will not tolerate their actions in Ukraine, both in the rule of law and in the European Union. That we will not tolerate their actions against human rights and human dignity, and we will stand united,” said the politician.
“Hungary has already blocked Council decisions several times with its sole veto, so I think it is important to move away from the veto in the area of common foreign and security policy, so that we can act more effectively against the threat from Russia,” she added.
The conditionality mechanism
“I think it’s a good thing that the Commission has introduced this instrument to secure contracts and in particular EU funds through the conditionality mechanism. This mechanism was set up with the support of the German government. Yes, this is very important. The committee decided on Sunday. We are now examining the details of the documents,” said Anna Lührmann.
Germany also backs the European Commission’s proposal for sanctions against Hungary in the rule of law procedure, which Lührmann said could serve as a warning to other member states, szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu reported. “It was important to send a clear signal to Hungary and to other member states that there will be consequences for breaches of the rule of law in payments,” the minister said.
The Commission is proposing a EUR 7.5 billion fine for Hungary if it fails to do all it can to fight corruption in the next two months.
Source: Euronews, SzeretlekMagyarország, DNH