EU rules on democratic governance need updating

Commentary feature. The question of how or whether the European Union as a whole can respond to alleged violations of liberal democratic norms among its Members States has come up frequently in discussions about Hungary since Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party came to power in 2010. There have also been instances relating to Austria, Romania and Greece also in the recent past.

However, seemingly hamstrung by its limited competencies in this area and preoccupied by the economic crisis, Brussels has been hesitant in its reaction to apparent democratic backsliding. Sooner or later the EU will be forced to take a firmer stance on the protection of democratic institutions within its member states.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Parliament divided over Hungary’s democratic record http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-divided-over-hungarys-democratic-record/

EUROPA: Summaries of EU legislation: Human rights: Fundamental rights within the European Union http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/human_rights/fundamental_rights_within_european_union/l33500_en.htm

Vi(eu)ws, 07.09.13: Hungary fails to meet EU values, says rapporteur Rui Tavares MEP http://www.vieuws.eu/citizens-consumers/hungary-fails-to-meet-eu-values-says-rapporteur-rui-tavares-mep/

European Commission: Audiovisual Services, 02.07.13: Situation of fundamental rights - standards and practices in Hungary: statements by - Rui TAVARES (Greens/EFA, PT), Rapporteur - José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC - Viktor ORBAN, Prime Minister of Hungary http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/shotlist.cfm?ref=94226

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