Today the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the controversial laws recently adopted in Hungary following the entry into force of a new Constitution last month.

Guy Verhofstadt ALDE group Leader said: "Today the European Parliament confirmed its commitment to fighting any violation by a Member State or government, such as the Orban government, against our common European values of freedom and democracy. This is a vote in defence of the Hungarian citizens, and those across the EU that face similar threats to their liberty and checks and balances of the democratic system".

Renate Weber (PNL, Romania) ALDE coordinator in the Civil liberties committee (LIBE): "Contrary to what right-wing political forces within the House instrumentally claim to be an illegitimate violation of national sovereignty and competence, we simply implement what is laid down by the acquis communautaire, namely intervening to prevent the potential risk of a breach of common values by a Member State that could put at stake the very foundations of democracy and respect of fundamental rights in Hungary and in the wider EU".

In fact, according to the European Commission COM(2003)606 on the Respect for and promotion of the values on which the Union is based, the scope of Article 7 of the TEU is not confined only to areas covered by EU law but it also extends to areas where the Member States acts autonomously. This Article also allows, in case of "clear risk", to send a warning signal before the risk materialises. However, according to Mrs Weber: "The risk in Hungary has already and clearly materialised. Apart from some issues already tackled by the Commission under infringement proceedings that confirm it, still many others remain unaddressed, such as freedom and pluralism of the media, the rights of political opposition, the law on churches and religious, the law on the criminalization of homeless persons, just to mention a few. That is why, with today's resolution, the majority in the EP agreed to prepare a report to monitor developments in Hungary, and possibly pursue further actions under Article 7.1 TEU should the government not change direction".