The European Commission proposes that the suspension of European funds for an EU country where the rule of law is under threat is not taken by unanimity, but rather by a qualified majority.
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament are now looking at this proposal. “For me, this remains very important and I will continue to fight”, Commissioner Günter Oettinger added. He noted that if this proposal was adopted, “minorities would not be able to block” the intention to suspend EU funds for a Community member.
The Commissioner stated that there was a “broad majority” for the introduction of decisions in this area without unanimity. Under the Community rules, “qualified majority” for the adoption of a decision in the Council of the EU is reached by the votes of 55 percent of the countries representing 65 percent of the population.
The reason for the position is the recent cases with Poland, Hungary and Romania. Jean-Claude Juncker strongly condemned the behaviour of the entire Visegrad Group with regard to migrants. A few days ago, the Polish Government stated that it had veiled the adoption of the annual report on the fundamental Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, because it did not call for the protection of Christians and Jews of religious discrimination.
The government in Warsaw is making serious efforts to gain control over the entire justice system. This process has led to a conflict with the EU Commission and the European Parliament. Against Poland was initiated a procedure for triggering Article 7 of the EU Treaty, which could lead to deprivation of voice of the largest Eastern European country in decision-making in the European institutions.
In turn, Hungary announced that it would block the activation of Art. 7 against Poland, as well as the binding of the rule of law as a condition for obtaining money from European funds. Since then, it has become clear that the EU will not be able to intervene in the current decision-making system.
Meanwhile, the European People’s Party confirmed that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his party have no more place among them.
The European Commission has also warned Romania that, because of the fight against corruption, it could not stop monitoring the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. First Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the commission would not hesitate to take appropriate action within the mechanism or otherwise.
