BUDAPEST – A delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will visit Hungary from Monday for a three-day mission to examine the state of democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights in the country. The mission, organized by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), will assess recent developments in judicial independence, media freedom, academic liberty, transparency, and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights.
The visit reflects ongoing concerns in Brussels over Hungary’s democratic backsliding under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government, which has repeatedly clashed with EU institutions over judicial reforms, press freedom, and civil liberties.
During their stay in Budapest, the five-member delegation plans to meet with government officials, members of the Hungarian Parliament, judicial representatives, local authorities, media figures, academics, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates.
Delegation Composition
The mission includes prominent MEPs from across the political spectrum:
- Tineke Strik (Netherlands, Greens/EFA)
- Sophie Wilmès (Belgium, Renew Europe)
- Pernando Barrena Arza (Spain, The Left)
- Krzysztof Śmiszek (Poland, S&D)
- Michal Wawrykiewicz (Poland, EPP)
The mission follows a previous visit in October 2021 and is conducted under the European Parliament’s rules of procedure, which allow committees to undertake official missions to EU member states to ensure democratic oversight and uphold the values enshrined in the EU treaties.
“The goal is to obtain an updated and comprehensive understanding of the legal and political developments in Hungary,” the LIBE Committee stated in a press release.
The mission’s findings could influence ongoing discussions in Brussels regarding the possible withholding of EU funds from Hungary over rule-of-law concerns.
Stay up to date on this story at LiveWorldUpdates.com.
#HungaryRuleOfLaw #EUParliamentMission #DemocracyInEurope #BudapestWatch