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Fidesz backs calls for speeding up Article 7 procedure against Hungary

Balázs Hidvéghi said the party’s MEPs earlier called for a speedy conclusion of the procedure, which he called a “political witch hunt”.

MEP Balázs Hidvéghi said Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party and its government support speeding up the European Union’s Article 7 procedure against the country.

Hidvéghi made the remark following a letter urging the European Council to step up the procedure, signed by the leaders of five European parliamentary party groups. The letter was sent to European Council head Charles Michel. Manfred Weber, the head of Fidesz’s party family, the European People’s Party (EPP), was among the signatories.

According to MTI, Hidvéghi said the party’s MEPs earlier called for a speedy conclusion of the procedure, which he called a “political witch hunt”. He said Fidesz is ready to face all hearings and reviews but rejects double standards.

However, Hidvéghi said Fidesz rejects the letter’s other demand to involve the European Parliament in the procedure. Such a step would be “uncalled for and against the [Lisbon] European Treaty,” he said, as the EP’s role ended with voting on the report of Green MEP Judith Sargentini in September 2018 which led to launching the procedure.

Photo credit: Echo TV