Panel discussion on the rule of law in Hungary
Adult education centre: on 4 May, 7 p.m., event hall, TIETZ
On Thursday, 4 May, from 7 to 8.30 pm, the Adult Education Centre and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation are hosting a panel discussion in the TIETZ event hall. Under the title "At odds with the EU: The rule of law in Hungary", Prof. DrEllen Bos, Chair of Comparative Politics with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe in the EU at Andrássy University Budapest, Michael Roth (SPD), Member of the German Bundestag and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, and Matthias Ecke (SPD), Member of the European Parliament.
Participation is free of charge. Registration is possible online and by telephone on 0371 488 4343.
By joining the European Union in 2004, Hungary - like all other EU member states - recognised the European system of values and the EU treaties and agreed to abide by them. Since the right-wing populist government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán came to power in April 2010, there is not much left of Hungary's democracy. Critics and members of the opposition have been silenced and freedom of the press and the rule of law have been increasingly restricted. After years of helpless criticism and under pressure from the European Parliament, the EU Commission initiated rule of law proceedings against Hungary last year. Budapest was given time to guarantee under the rule of law that EU funds were not being diverted through corruption. As this was not done sufficiently, twelve billion in EU funding for Hungary was frozen until further notice at the end of 2022.
The discussion on 4 May will focus on the following questions: What are the chances of restoring the rule of law in Hungary? Why has the European Union stood by and watched Hungary's transformation into an "elected autocracy" for so long? Could 2023 possibly be a decisive and fateful year for the Hungarian prime minister?