Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén branded Wednesday’s decision by the European Commission to trigger Article 7 against Poland – in response to controversial reforms in the country’s justice system – as unprecedented and unbelievable.

Mr. Semjén said that the decision is a gross violation of Poland’s sovereignty.

He said that it is unacceptable for Brussels to exert such pressure on sovereign Members States and to arbitrarily punish democratically elected governments.

He pointed out that it is unjust for the Commission to do nothing when some Member States do not comply with European agreements, while launching politically motivated proceedings against the Polish government.

This is a typical case of double standards said Mr. Semjén, who described the European Commission’s current action as being contrary to European values.

He also pointed out that Central Europe – including Poland – is the engine of European economic growth, and that Europe needs Poland.

Polish-Hungarian friendship and the Government of Hungary’s commitment to the Treaties place a dual obligation on Hungary to protest in every forum against the Commission’s latest act, Mr. Semjén said. He added that the Government of Hungary will continue to stand firmly by Poland. Mr. Semjén declared that “we shall defend Poland in the face of an unfair, fabricated political procedure”.

When asked by MTI whether Hungary will veto the decision against the Poles, the Deputy Prime Minister said that it will.

(MTI)