We are pleased to invite you to join the event ‘An honest broker? – The Hungarian Council presidency in the context of Hungary’s ongoing Rule of Law Crisis’ to be held on Wednesday 3 July 2024, at 15:00-17:00 (European Parliament, room number will follow).

The European Parliament has repeatedly expressed its concern that the Hungarian Government will not be able to credibly fulfil the role of presidency of the Council, in view of its non-compliance with EU law, the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU and the principle of sincere cooperation. Yet, on July 1st, Hungary will assume this important role, becoming the first-ever Council presidency subject to an article 7 TEU-procedure and Rule of Law-related budget conditionality measures.

In this event, Hungarian civil society partners will shed light on the latest and ongoing Rule of Law deficiencies of the incoming presidency. We will also discuss with EU scholars which measures should be taken by the EU institutions, both in relation to the Hungarian Presidency (in follow up to the European Parliament’s resolution 2024/2683(RSP)) as well as with regard to the broader efforts to defend and restore the Rule of Law in Hungary.

The program:

15:00- 15:10

Opening remarks

15:10-16:00

Panel of civil society partners to discuss ongoing Rule of Law issues in Hungary

Main focus on the latest state of play in Hungary with regard to attacks on judicial independence, fundamental rights issues, corruption and shrinking civic space. 

Speakers:

•         András Kádár, Co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee
•         Zsolt Szekeres, Senior Legal Officer of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee
•         József Péter Martin, Executive Director of Transparency International Hungary
•         Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary

– Q&A (20 minutes)

16:00-16:50

Panel on required EU responses to the ongoing Rule of Law issues in Hungary

Main focus on the required actions from the EU’s side, both with regard to the Hungarian Council presidency and the broader Rule of Law restoration in Hungary.

Speakers

•         Gwen Delbos-Corfield, Member of the European Parliament
•         Petra Bárd, Professor of Sustainable Rule of Law, Radboud University Nijmegen
•         Kati Cseres, Associate Professor in EU Law at the Amsterdam Centre for European Law & Governance, University of Amsterdam
•         Kees Groenendijk, Emeritus Professor Sociology of Law, Radboud University Nijmegen and Member of the Meijers Committee 

– Q&A (20 minutes)

Moderator: MEP

16:50-17:00 Closing remarks

Considering that we only have limited places, we kindly ask you to register your attendance here.

Sincerely,

MEP Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield

MEP Daniel Freund

MEP Tineke Strik