European Commission
Malmström

One of the most internationally famous Swedes is Raoul Wallenberg. His efforts to rescue thousands of Jews during the Holocaust were truly heroic. A ceremony in Budapest sparks off celebration in his honour: it is a hundred years since he was born and today marks 67 years since he disappeared and probably died a very tragic and still unexplained death in a Soviet prison camp. In both Canada and Argentina there are yearly commemorations for his efforts. I think we should do the same in Sweden. Raoul Wallenberg was a very brave man who stood up for human dignity and democracy during a horrific time in European history. When you hear the debate on refugees and migration today, I sometimes wonder if his work would have been seen as equally heroic today.

Hungary was also a topic of conversation for entirely different reasons at the Commission’s weekly meeting today in Strasbourg. Many of us are concerned about the developments in the country. Last week the Commission decided that the Structural Funds could be freezed if Hungary did not take the appropriate steps to meet the requirements of budget deficit rules that apply to all EU members. Today we discussed a number of laws that we believe violates the EU acqui and in particular the fundamental values upon which the entire European cooperation rests. We decided to start infringement proceedings on three points: the Central Bank independence, independence of the judiciary, more specifically, the new age requirements introduced for judges, and the lack of independent data protection authority. In addition, we sent a letter with questions concerning the concentration of power in the judiciary. Hungary has a month to respond to all this. In normal cases, a Member State is given two months to reply, but this situation is serious.

As I mentioned previously, many of us are concerned for the development of the country and the so-called cardinal laws (i.e. laws that can only be amended by a two-thirds majority).  But first we wait and see how they plan to reform the laws I mentioned above. We will closely follow what happens and see what tools we have to ensure that the new laws in Hungary are in conformity with EU laws and values. Some colleagues and I have raised the issue of Article 7 (details on page seven here). It is not excluded that the Commission can look at whether it should be invoked, but the infringement procedure is a first step and we’ll see if it has any effect. Tomorrow the European Parliament will debate the developments in Hungary.  Rumour has it that Viktor Orban has asked to participate. It is excellent news that the Parliament is also willing to send a very clear political signal to Hungary.

Today the European Parliament chose a new President, Martin Schulz, a German Social Democrat, as Jerzy Buzek’s successor. Schulz is of course well known in the European Parliament where he has served since 1994, but it is a bit ironic that it was thanks to Berlusconi that he became known to the general public. During the Italian Presidency in 2003 Berlusconi accused him of sounding like a German camp guard, which created an enormous media stir. I send sincere congratulations to the new President and look forward to working with him.