Independence of the data protection authority and the judiciary

The Commission’s Director General for Justice, Françoise Le Bail, said that it was working with the Hungarian authorities to solve the problems that had prompted the launch of accelerated infringement procedures against Hungary: the independence of the national data protection authority, the retirement age of judges and the independence of the judiciary “We shall not hesitate to take further steps depending on the answers we receive”, she added.On the issue of central bank independence, Hungary has until 17 February to reply to the infringement procedure opened by the Commission.On the independence of the judiciary, Mr Navracsics said that “we are preparing our reply and we are willing to continue our dialogue with the Commission”. On the independence of the data protection authority, he explained that “we heard the Commission’s indications and we are working on strengthening it. I think that we can find a constructive solution”. Part of the discussion was about whether it was necessary to activate EU Treaty Article 7, which is used in the event of a clear threat of a serious breach of EU common values.
Inducted with fairness and balance” and asking “to treat Hungary not as an enemy but rather as a member of our Union”.
“Klubrádió is fighting for its very survival in the reality show of the Hungarian media law”, said its President András Arató, describing its difficulties in renewing its licence. “Unilateral media supervision is prohibited by EU rules”, he said, underlining that “Klubrádió is not the only example of incidents that are rather unusual in Western Europe”. Mr Navracsics replied that “the court proceedings are underway. To guarantee a free and fair process, please do not make any political statements on this issue, do not let the Hungarian judges feel any pressure from you”. He also reiterated that ” we amended the media law in the light of the Constitutional court ruling. As promised, when the amendments are ready, we will submit them to the Council of Europe and on the basis of its opinion we will proceed to a parliamentary debate”.OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic reported “serious concerns on the financial and editorial independence of the media in Hungary”.Emine Bozkurt (S&D, NL), noted that “the debate in the European Parliament with Hungary’s Prime Minister was described by Hungarian media as a victory for Viktor Orbán. There was no room for other voices”.
Andrew Cutting, representing the Council of Europe’s EU Liaison office, said that the Venice Commission (its advisory body on constitutional matters), was looking at eight Hungarian laws concerning the judiciary, religious freedom, electoral system, freedom of information, the Constitutional Court, prosecution and nationalities and family protection.
The Venice Commission’s opinions on the judiciary and religious freedom will be ready in March, and the others in June.
“The whole system is more than the sum of the parts”, said MEP Kinga Göncz (S&D, HU), adding that the Council of Europe should “study the whole package and not only some parts”.Cutting replied that it is up to the Council of Europe’s plenary, and not to the Venice Commission, to give an opinion on the overall situation in Hungary and that this is currently being considered.
The European Parliament will vote on a resolution on the recent political developments in Hungary on 16 February in Strasbourg.