Conservative MEPs to protect Hungary’s far-right Orban government from EU sanctions in vote

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Theresa May’s MEPs will protect Viktor Orban’s authoritarian government from EU sanctions in an upcoming vote in the European parliament, the Conservatives have said.

Tory sources in Strasbourg confirmed that their MEPs would be voting against a motion to trigger the so-called Article 7 procedure to censure Hungary over alleged violations of the rule of law.

Mr Orban’s government has been accused of violating press freedoms, undermining judicial independence and waging a state-backed antisemitic campaign against Jewish businessman George Soros. It is also subject to allegations of corruption relating to the alleged misspending EU funds by Mr Orban’s friends and family, while the prime minister himself has described refugees as “Muslim invaders” and been accused of being deeply Islamophobic.

Tory sources said their MEPs would oppose the process because they see it as “politicised” and that they believe the wrong approach is being taken. They say their MEPs’ decision is not a comment on the situation in Hungary.

Labour branded the decision “disgraceful”, arguing that Mr Orban’s “record on political freedom, equality and human rights, Islamophobia and antisemitism, shames Europe”.

The Conservatives’ votes may prove decisive, as it is unclear whether the motion will pass: though a majority of all MEPs are expected to back the motion on Wednesday, it requires an enhanced two-thirds majority of votes to be successful.

Mr Orban travelled to Strasbourg on Tuesday to make his government’s case in a debate in the European parliament. The highest sanction under the process, if it is seen through to its conclusion, would be stripping Hungary of its voting rights European Council level; a similar procedure is underway against Poland, which has been accused of undermining the independence of its judiciary.

The vote was triggered after the European parliament’s home affairs committee voted by 37 to 19 in favour of a report backing the censure motion. The Conservative MEP on the committee also voted against the plan then, joining with continental far-right parties including the French Front National, Austria’s Freedom Party and Sweden Democrats.

Asked about the vote, Conservative home affairs spokesman Dan Dalton said: “This report crosses a boundary by politicising what should be a purely legal matter.

“If the EU’s treaties have been breached by any member state, it is for the European Commission to build a legal case against it. MEPs have no role to play in the process and their involvement leaves any subsequent legal action open to the accusation that it is politically motivated.

“This report is misguided, counterproductive and sets a dangerous precedent. I hope parliament votes against.”

Tory sources denied that the decision to back Hungary was an attempt to secure allies on the continent ahead of crunch Brexit decisions. Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has previously broken ranks from other EU leaders over Britain’s departure, stating that to not give Britain a good trade deal would be “devastating” for the EU.

Richard Corbett, the leader of Labour’s MEPs, told The Independent: “It is absolutely disgraceful that the Conservatives would even consider propping up Viktor Orban’s Fidesz government, whose record on political freedom, equality and human rights, Islamophobia and antisemitism shames Europe.

“It should, however, come as no surprise, as the Tories continue to sit with the Sweden Democrats and other far-right parties in the European parliament, at a time when racism is on the rise across the continent.”

Commenting ahead of his arrival in Strasbourg Mr Orban said: “Pro-migration representatives hold majority in the European parliament. They are now preparing revenge against Hungary because the Hungarians decided they will not become an immigration country,”

Molly Scott Cato, a British Green MEP, said that “the only explanation” for the vote was that “the self-inflicted harm from Brexit leaves us vulnerable, having alienated our closest friends and allies”.