Hungary ‘rapidly going in wrong direction’, EU lawmakers warn after visit – Europe live

A delegation ofEuropean parliament lawmakershas warned that the situation inHungaryis“rapidly going in the wrong direction”due to the continuing deterioration of the rule of law underViktor Orbán’sgovernment. Speaking at a press conference in Budapest after a two-day visit to Hungary, the Dutch lawmaker heading the delegation,Tineke Strik, raised concerns about“a number of worrying developments”concerning the country’s compliance with EU values when it comes to the judiciary, civil society, and equality. In particular, she called out the Hungarian authorities for their recent reforms targeting the LGBTIQ community, and broader issues, such as its view of EU funding as an example of foreign interference which she said was “used to crack down on civil society.” Former Belgian prime ministerSophie Wilmèsspoke about growing worries about media pluralism, with “80% of all market revenues channelled to pro-government media,” with independent journalists denied access to information or access to politicians. Polish centre-right lawmakerMichał Wawrykiewiczsaid the delegation saw “indisputable deterioration of the situation and, I would even say, an open denial of the rule of law.” He also criticised Hungarian officials’ “very aggressive” and “rude” approach, with many government institutions declining the delegation’s request for a meeting. Krzysztof Śmiszekfrom the Polish New Left, and previously a lawyer heavily involved in equality policies in Poland, warned that the LGBTIQ community “is already facing direct legal restrictions,” and further measures aimed at tightening them only “create a very hostile atmosphere” leading to the rise in “physical, violent and other type of hate crimes” against minorities. Basque politicianPernando Barrenaspoke about “a further escalation in attacks against the fundamental rights of the people,” with “repressive” measures used against civil groups, such as Budapest Pride. “The impunity of the Hungarian government in circumventingEuropean Unionlaw, especially the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, needs to be stopped,” he said. Strik said the delegation would ask the European Commission to step up its actions against the Hungarian government. The visit of the delegation from the European parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, or LIBE, came just after Hungarian lawmakers voted through a controversial constitutional amendment that campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to crack down on dissent and chip away at human rights. The amendment codifiesthe government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attenders and potentially fine them. The amendment, which the government says prioritises the protection of children’s physical, mental and moral development, also enshrines the recognition of only two sexes, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some inHungary. … and on that note, it’s a wrap from me,Jakub Krupa, for today. A delegation ofEuropean parliament lawmakershas warned that the situation inHungaryis“rapidly going in the wrong direction”due to the continuing deterioration of the rule of law underViktor Orbán’sgovernment (16:02). US state secretaryMarco Rubioand White House envoySteve Witkoffwill travel to Paris this week for talks with European allies on US president Donald Trump’s plans to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other foreign, trade issues (13:25,14:11). French presidentEmmanuel Macronsaid those trying to“intimidate our prison staff and attack the facilities with unacceptable violence”will be“found, tried, and punished”in his first public remarks after a spate of attacks on prison guards across the country (12:02,16:13). Slovakprime ministerRobert Ficohas reiterated his intention to attendthe Russian Victory Day celebrations in Moscowon 9 May, despite growing criticism from EU institutions that such a move would give Russia an unjustified reputational boost amid its continuing invasion of Ukraine (12:50and14:53). Ukrainian deputy prime ministerYulia Svyrydenkosaid there was“significant progress” in talks on mineral deal with the US, as teams agreed to sign a memorandum “in near future” (13:53). Latvianlawmakers voted to quit a treaty banning anti-personnel mines, as the Baltic state seeks to reinforce its security to deterRussia(16:22). And that’s all from me,Jakub Krupa,for today. If you haveany tips, comments or suggestions,email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com. I am also on Bluesky at@jakubkrupa.bsky.socialand on X at@jakubkrupa. Leading European politiciansbacked a campaigndemanding the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russiaduring its invasion onUkraine. Estonian presidentAlar Karis, British foreign secretaryDavid Lammy,German foreign ministerAnnalena Baerbockand EU commissionersHenna VirkkunenandAndrius Kubiliuswere among leaders who publicly pledged their support for theBring Kids Backcampaign, initiated by Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy. In March 2023, the international criminal court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian presidentVladimir Putin,saying he was “allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.” TheBritishandFrenchgovernments are involved inearly talks about a returns agreementthat would involve both countries exchanging people seeking asylum. Officials have discusseda pilot schemeunder which a small number of people who come across the Channel to the UK by irregular means would be sent back to France. The UK would look to accept from France a limited number of people who have a right to be in Britain, especially those with a case for family reunification. Small boat crossings across the Channel are at record levels, with almost 8,200 people having made the journey to the UK since the start of the year, up 30% compared with the same period last year. Before Brexit, the UK was a party to the EU’s Dublin regulation, under which people should be processed for asylum in the country at which they first entered the bloc. Latvianlawmakers voted to quit a treaty banning anti-personnel mines, as the Baltic state seeks to reinforce its security to deterRussia, AFP reported. Responding to Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture in the region and its continuing invasion ofUkraine, Latvia and fellow Baltic statesEstoniaandLithuania, as well asPolandandFinland, recently announced their plans to renounce theOttawa Conventionon landmines. The Latvian parliament voted on the proposal earlier today. “Withdrawal … will give our armed forces room for manoeuvre in the event of a military threat to use all possible means to defend our citizens,”Ināra Mūrniece, former defence minister and chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said in a statement. Lawmakers approved the treaty exit by a large margin, andthe decision will come into effect six months after Latvia formally notifies the United Nations. French presidentEmmanuel Macronsaid those trying to“intimidate our prison staff and attack the facilities with unacceptable violence”will be“found, tried, and punished”in his first public remarks after a spate of attacks on prison guards across the country (12:02). Ina social media post, he also reaffirmed his support for the justice ministry and all prison staff. Earlier today, justice ministerGérald Darmaninsaid that attackers are“trying to destabilise the state by intimidating it”after a number of reported car fires and other attacks. Darmanin told CNews he was seeking to crack down on “drug networks that continue to operate from prison cells”. A delegation ofEuropean parliament lawmakershas warned that the situation inHungaryis“rapidly going in the wrong direction”due to the continuing deterioration of the rule of law underViktor Orbán’sgovernment. Speaking at a press conference in Budapest after a two-day visit to Hungary, the Dutch lawmaker heading the delegation,Tineke Strik, raised concerns about“a number of worrying developments”concerning the country’s compliance with EU values when it comes to the judiciary, civil society, and equality. In particular, she called out the Hungarian authorities for their recent reforms targeting the LGBTIQ community, and broader issues, such as its view of EU funding as an example of foreign interference which she said was “used to crack down on civil society.” Former Belgian prime ministerSophie Wilmèsspoke about growing worries about media pluralism, with “80% of all market revenues channelled to pro-government media,” with independent journalists denied access to information or access to politicians. Polish centre-right lawmakerMichał Wawrykiewiczsaid the delegation saw “indisputable deterioration of the situation and, I would even say, an open denial of the rule of law.” He also criticised Hungarian officials’ “very aggressive” and “rude” approach, with many government institutions declining the delegation’s request for a meeting. Krzysztof Śmiszekfrom the Polish New Left, and previously a lawyer heavily involved in equality policies in Poland, warned that the LGBTIQ community “is already facing direct legal restrictions,” and further measures aimed at tightening them only “create a very hostile atmosphere” leading to the rise in “physical, violent and other type of hate crimes” against minorities. Basque politicianPernando Barrenaspoke about “a further escalation in attacks against the fundamental rights of the people,” with “repressive” measures used against civil groups, such as Budapest Pride. “The impunity of the Hungarian government in circumventingEuropean Unionlaw, especially the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, needs to be stopped,” he said. Strik said the delegation would ask the European Commission to step up its actions against the Hungarian government. The visit of the delegation from the European parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, or LIBE, came just after Hungarian lawmakers voted through a controversial constitutional amendment that campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to crack down on dissent and chip away at human rights. The amendment codifiesthe government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attenders and potentially fine them. The amendment, which the government says prioritises the protection of children’s physical, mental and moral development, also enshrines the recognition of only two sexes, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some inHungary. Despite another warning from the EU,Slovakprime ministerRobert Ficohas just reiterated his intention to attendthe Russian Victory Day celebrations in Moscowon 9 May (12:50). Speaking at a press conference alongsideCroatianprime ministerAndrej Plenković, Fico said his view was “rooted” in his understanding of politics and history, as he spoke of hunderds of memorials dedicated to Red Army soldiers, “literally across the entire territory of Slovakia.” “We know who liberated us… No one can take it away from us, no one can tell me we were liberated from the West, when we were liberated from the East,” he said. Fico argued that he takes part in all international commemorative events related to the end of the second world war, recalling his visits in the Normandy, the Arlington National Cemetery in the US, and his upcoming visit to London to pay tribute to RAF pilots. He explained that during his visit to Moscow he would “pay tribute to people who died when liberating Slovakia, Czechoslovakia, and civil victims,” adding that in his view “historically, the nations of the former Soviet Union had the largest role in the fall of Hitler’s Germany.” The Slovak prime minister said that during his visit he would lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Moscow and take part in the Immortal Regiment, a march commemorating those who died in the war. “I feel absolutely comfortable about my visit,”he said, stressing the need to “have dialogue” withRussia. Fico said that Slovakia would also send a representative to any commemorations inUkraine, with its delegation led by the country’s foreign minister “or someone else, as I cannot be in two places at the same time.” He also expressed his frustration with the criticism from the EU, saying he “would never allow himself to criticise the prime minister of your country for deciding to do something based on their historical truth.” Directly criticising EU’s foreign policy chief, he wrapped his comments up saying mockingly that“I will be in Moscow, even at the cost of, as Kallas said, ‘this not being taken lightly’”. Further to earlier reports from France (13:25), we now have a formal confirmation from the US state department thatMarco RubioandSteve Witkoffwill travel to Paris for“talks with European counterparts”on advancing president Donald Trump’s plan to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They will arrive in France today, and leave on Friday, the statement said. “While in Paris, [Rubio] will also discuss ways to advance shared interests in the region,” the statement added. Germany’s outgoing chancellorOlaf Scholzis in Warsaw today where he spoke with Poland’sDonald Tusk, the Polish government’s social media account said,posting a picture from the pair’s meeting. The German press agency,dpa, said it was unusual for the meeting to come just week’s before Scholz’s departure, and it was expected to focus on the state of German-Polish relations and European issues. Earlier this month, Scholz made a similar trip to Madrid to meet with the Spanish prime ministerPedro Sánchez. Scholz is expected to leave the post in early May and will be succeeded by conservative leaderFriedrich Merz, subject to the formal approval of a coalition deal between Merz’s CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats. Merz previously indicated his intention to improve bilateral relations with Poland, which is also listed as a priority partner in the coalition agreement. Ukrainian deputy prime ministerYulia Svyrydenkosaid there was“significant progress” in talks on mineral deal with the US, as teams agreed to sign a memorandum “in near future.” Ina series of social media posts, she said that “our legal staff has adjusted several items within the draft agreement.” “We have nowagreed with the American side to record this progress in the relevant memorandum of intent.We are preparing to complete the formalization of the agreement in the near future,” she said. Svyrydenko said that the dealwould still need ratification by Ukraine’s parliament.