Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has leveled criticism at the European Union, accusing it of inconsistent evaluations regarding the rule of law in Hungary. In a recent television appearance in Slovakia, Eštok claimed that the EU has largely overlooked recent political changes under Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar. According to Eštok, these changes, including the dismissal of Hungary’s president and various constitutional amendments, have not been met with the same robust response from the EU as in previous instances.
Eštok highlighted that these political shifts encompass not only the removal of the president but also reforms that impact parliamentary members and the national public broadcaster. He suggested that if similar actions had been taken by Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the EU’s reaction would likely have been more severe, potentially involving strong criticism or even sanctions.
Moreover, Eštok questioned the European Commission’s apparent lack of scrutiny concerning the recent developments in Hungary. He pointed out that the EU institutions have not given these changes the attention they warrant, given the principles of rule of law that are supposed to guide democratic governance within the Union.
Adding to the discourse, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has also voiced concerns, particularly regarding the constitutional changes affecting Hungary’s presidency. Blanár argued that these modifications do not align with the foundational rule-of-law principles. His remarks, alongside those of Eštok, contribute to the broader political debate about how the EU manages and responds to democratic and legal changes within member countries.