| Author (Person) | Barker, Alex |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 16.1.12 |
| Publication Date | 16/01/2012 |
| Content Type | News |
|
A battle between the European Commission and Budapest intensified on the 17 January 2012 when the European Union’s executive branch ruled that three new Hungarian laws violate EU treaties and began legal proceedings to overturn the measures, one of which officials believe threatens the independence of Hungary’s central bank. The heightened tensions came as the government of prime minister Viktor Orban continued to seek aid from the EU and the International Monetary Fund. The Commission has said it is unwilling to support such aid until Mr Orban revises the central bank law, which gives the prime minister increased powers to appoint senior management at the bank. Passions ran high in the European Parliament on the 18 January 2012 as several political group leaders raised concerns not only over specific legal and constitutional provisions in Hungary, but also what they saw as a wider undermining of democratic values in that country. Others vigorously opposed this view, warning that such an approach went too far. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who attended the debate told MEPs that straightforward solutions to meet concerns could be found. |
|
| Related Links |
|
| Countries / Regions | Europe, Hungary |
