The motto of the Hungarian presidency, Make Europe Great Again, probably alienated many, as they remember Donald Trump’s equivalent of Make America Great Againincluding the European Commission.
European Commission vice-president for values and transparency Vera Jourova made a blunt statement about the Trump-inspired slogan: “Hey, not very original, is it?” he said laughing.
He made the comments outside the General Affairs Council, where Budapest’s violation of the bloc’s values was a topic of discussion. The Commissioner noted that the Commission had “observations” on press freedom and the rule of law in Hungary.
Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has been at loggerheads with Brussels for years over issues including immigration and support for Ukraine. Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice fined Budapest 200 million euros for violating EU asylum law.
Vera Jourova added that the Council presidency should be an opportunity for the Hungarian government “to show that it can serve and fulfill the duty of an honest mediator, which is the role of the presidency”.
naftemporiki.gr