Press Release: MEPs debate the situation in Hungary, fundamental rights and EU values

The situation in Hungary, following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's remarks on the possibility of reinstating the death penalty there and the government’s public 'consultation' on immigration, were debated by the members of the European Parliament, Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, Latvian State Secretary for European Affairs Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica for the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Mr Orbán himself on 19 May 2015.

On the same day, the foreign affairs committee of the US congress held a hearing in which the political situation in Hungary and its relations with Russia were also analysed.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Member States And The Rule Of Law Dealing With A Breach Of EU Values http://www.europeansources.info/record/member-states-and-the-rule-of-law-dealing-with-a-breach-of-eu-values/

ESO: Background information: MEPs challenge Orban's 'horrible' migration survey / Hungary PM calls for death penalty debate with EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/meps-challenge-orbans-horrible-migration-survey-hungary-pm-calls-for-death-penalty-debate-with-eu/

EUObserver, 19.05.15: Hungarian PM defends death penalty debate https://euobserver.com/justice/128762

EurActiv, 20.05.15: Hungary's Orbán angers EU over death penalty, migrants http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/hungarys-orban-angers-eu-over-death-penalty-migrants-314713

Euronews, 19.05.15: Hungary’s Orban: EU nations should have power over death penalty http://www.euronews.com/2015/05/19/hungary-s-orban-faces-meps-over-death-penalty-stance/

Deutsche Welle, 19.05.15: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban calls EU migrant plan 'idiotic,' defends death penalty http://dw.de/p/1FSuJ

EUObserver, 20.05.15: US warns Hungary on 'nefarious influence' by Russia https://euobserver.com/foreign/128770

United States: US Congress: Foreign Affairs Committe: Subcommittee on Europe, 19.05.15: Statement Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe Washington, DC http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2015/may/242602.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/15/5010, 19.05.15: European Parliament Plenary – Commission statement on the situation in Hungary First Vice-President Timmermans Strasbourg, 19 May 2015 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5010_en.htm

Politico, 25.05.15: Embattled Orbán weighs his options [updated 07.06.15] http://www.politico.eu/article/embattled-orban-weighs-his-options/

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