Hungarian parliament votes to oppose EU sanctions on Poland

A resolution of the Hungarian Parliament aimed at showing Hungary’s support for Poland in its stand-off with the European Union has been welcomed in Warsaw.

There’s relief and joy in the ranks of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland after Tuesday’s vote in the Hungarian parliament to back Poland in its struggles with the European Union. « I am satisfied with this resolution because it clearly shows that there will be no more talk of sanctions against Poland, » said PiS spokeswoman Beata Mazurek.

The Hungarian Parliament approved a resolution to oppose Brussels’ decision trigger Article 7 against Poland over its controversial judicial reforms.

The Commission has launched a procedure which, in time, may deprive the country of its voting rights within the Union. However, for it to be applicable the unanimity of all 28 EU members is necessary. With the support of the Hungarian parliament, Prime Minister Viktor Orban will be able to block the procedure.

« We’re calling on the Hungarian government to support Poland; to ensure that Poland avoids being stripped of rights guaranteed by the EU treaty; to stand up against any ideas that would restrict its EU member rights, » said the resolution prepared by Zsolt Németh, the Hungarian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The resolution passed with 114 votes, with 13 votes against.

Poland can also count on the support of its Lithuanian neighbor. Last Sunday at a meeting in Vilnius with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė said she was opposed to « the strong method against any EU country, including Poland