Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 12 September 2018 - Strasbourg

The situation in Hungary (A8-0250/2018 - Judith Sargentini)

  Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (PPE). – Mr President, I fully supported the report on Article 7 asking Members to assess if there is a risk of a serious breach of European values in Hungary. I voted for Europe and for PPE values, on the side of the Hungarian people.

Raising concerns, based on facts, about the Hungarian Government’s policies is not punishing the people. I am proud to be a Swede, an Italian and a European. There is no contradiction. As a friend of Hungary, I appeal to Prime Minister Orbán to move from denial to dialogue and to reconsider policies violating Article 2 of the EU Treaty, in particular restrictions on academic freedom and on civil society, and breaches of European asylum law. I believe in building bridges, but we urgently need to see concrete changes and results in Hungary.

I am proud the PPE stood united for European values, showing that we are a credible political family. I will continue to stand up for the rule of law against populism and extremism in Europe.