Thread by @LibertiesEU

[THREAD] The emergency law passed in #Hungary is another step in #Orban’s plan to get rid of #democracy and #RuleofLaw. Here are 5 things the #EU could do to help Hungarians restore their democracy. Tools are there, just not being used.
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1 - Use the stick. #Orban’s emergency law violates EU rules in at least two ways, which could allow the @EU_Commission to open infringements and bring #Hungary before the #ECJ.
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The threat of imprisonment will dissuade media outlets, journalists and activists from working in and on #Hungary. That violates EU rules on freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services, as well as fundamental rights – incl. freedom of expression and information.
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#Orban's sweeping powers would also allow him to override EU law at national level and prevent citizens exercising rights granted to them under EU law, e.g. rights to stand & participate in #EU and local elections. This undermines basic tenets of the EU legal system.
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2 - Cut the money off. #Orban relies heavily on #EU money to fund his oligarchs. Stopping the cash would make it harder for him to command their loyalty. @EUCouncil needs to knuckle down and adopt @EU_Commission proposal on #RuleofLaw conditionality. bit.ly/3aGtlIY
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In meantime @EU_Commission already has the powers to suspend structural funds for governments that don't have proper guarantees in place to make sure it's spent legally. Or Commission could suspend on basis of rules on sincere cooperation. bit.ly/2JuPU7D
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3 - Use EU money to grow grassroots support for democracy in #HU. Rights&Values fund would allow to support rights&democracy groups. But Commission's proposed budget is too small to give real help. @EUCouncil should agree to sum @Europarl_EN suggests bit.ly/3aORqO1
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4 - Get serious on media freedom. Come up with #EU #antiSLAPP law to protect independent media from abusive lawsuits. Give money to independent media to restore pluralist and free media throughout EU. Sanction governments trying to get control of media using @EU_Competition
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5 – Move to next level on Article 7. Governments in @EUCouncil should stop talking & start voting. Identify sanctions that will make #Orban think twice. Compromising has not put the brakes on destruction of democracy. bit.ly/2NyEtPT
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A lot is wrong with #Hungary’s emergency law. @coe, @UNHumanRights and @OSCE have publicly expressed their serious concerns. Time for the #EU to take some serious action. Is there hope?
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@EU_Justice #RuleofLaw Commissioner @dreynders said the @EU_Commission is assessing #Hungary’s emergency law with regard to fundamental rights. bit.ly/3aGJXR2 Unfortunately, President #vonderLeyen has refused to publicly condemn #Hungary bit.ly/2yrrbPg
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Meanwhile, some #EU Member States’ leaders decided to speak up against #Hungary’s emergency law, including Germany's Europe Minister Michael Roth – just a few months ahead of Germany’s taking over of the Presidency of the @EUCouncil bit.ly/2R1q0fC
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A joint declaration by 13 EU countries expressing concern on ‘certain’ emergency measures, was still too scared to name #Hungary. bit.ly/2wUdec8 Allowing Orban to troll the declaration by later signing up to it himself. Bodes ill for Art 7. bit.ly/3dPeWfu /13

@EU_Commission President #vonderLeyen’s statement on emergency measures is also about Hungary, but also does not dare name it. #Orban is still shielded by fact @vonderleyen, like @JunckerEU, is @EPPGroup. Could mean she blocks efforts of @dreynders & @VeraJourova
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And could Orban exit @EPPGroup? There's serious disquiet within. But EPP don't want to lose the seats. A #values pact between EPP @RenewEurope & @TheProgressives for each of them to ditch their bad apples - meaning no one profits - might do it. bit.ly/3aDctTt
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