Fidesz, Viktor Orban’s party was suspended from the European People’s Party because of the populist sideslips of the Hungarian prime minister, corcerning Brussels and immigration.
Joseph Daul, the chairman of the European People’s Party, said that the Fides suspension entered in force at once, and that it was voted with 190 votes for and only three against. Fidesz will no longer be allowed to attend EPP meetings, vote in EPPs or nominate candidates.
Following the announcement made by Daul, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he voluntarily agreed to suspend Fidesz’s participation in the EPP, in order to prevent a forced suspension due to concerns about the rule of law.
Orban said the EPP agreed not to suspend Fidesz, but to allow him voluntarily to stop participating in the pan-European formation until an independent commission finishes its analysis of the rule of law in Hungary.
In fact, in the compromise text adopted on Wednesday, it is stated that “the EPP and Fidesz presidency agreed to suspend the Fidesz until a report is published by an evaluating commission (within the formation). No suspension period is mentioned in the compromise text.
The 13 conservative parties in Europe had two options on the table. On the one hand, the head of the European Commission insists on an exclusion of Orban’s party, a premiere for the group of Europeans.
German Christian Democrats have proposed a compromise: suspending FIDESZ from the People Group until the party regains the trust of its partners. Not for that matter, but the loss of Fidesz euro deputies could cost EPP the position of the largest party in the European Parliament after the May elections.
In addition, there are fears that an exclusion would push Viktor Orban into the arms of Matteo Salvini, leader of the extreme Italian right. The 261 delegates will vote by secret ballot on Wednesday evening, the decision requiring a simple majority.
Source: ProTv (Translation TFP)
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *