Concerns but no systemic threat to democracy

The European Commission sees no systemic threat to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, although, it has brought several procedures against it for infringing EU laws, portfolio.hu quotes Commissioner Vera Jourová as saying in a debate with MEPs on Wednesday.

Vera Jourová listed several recent contentious issues that the Commission monitored in Hungary, including the treatment of asylum seekers, segregated education and discrimination of the Roma, the treatment of non-governmental organisations managing Norwegian funds, questionable judgments by the judiciary, state aid to media and for the construction of a nuclear plant, as well as corruption affecting public procurement.

"As these concerns are being addressed by a range of infringement procedures, and as the Hungarian judiciary also has its role to play, the Commission found that conditions to start a rule of law framework procedure are not fulfilled," Jourová is quoted by portfolio.hu.