Hungary is threatened with fines in two cases: because of the law that prohibits information about non-heteronormative relationships and identities for children – and because of the handling of the popular radio station Klubradio.
The EU Commission is taking Hungary twice to the European Court of Justice for alleged violations of EU law. On the one hand, it is a law that restricts information about homosexuality and trans identity, as the authority announced in Brussels on Friday. The other case concerns actions by the Hungarian authorities against the independent radio station Klubradio. And because of the tank discount, the EU Commission is also opening new infringement cases.
The EU Commission monitors compliance with the rule of law in the international community. If Hungary does not comply with the ECJ rulings that are now expected, there is a risk of high fines. Critics have long accused right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of undermining minority rights, democratic institutions and freedom of the press, subjugating the judiciary and fueling resentment against foreigners.
The regulation, often abbreviated as “homosexual law”, had already caused strong headwinds against Orbán in the EU last year. “This Hungarian law is a disgrace,” said European Commission President von der Leyen at the time. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has made it clear that he sees no place for Hungary in the EU if the Budapest government continues like this.
Restricted representation of non-heterosexual relationships
The law went into effect in July 2021. It prohibits publications accessible to children that depict non-heterosexual relationships. Advertising in which homosexuals or transsexuals appear as part of normality is also prohibited. Orbán himself has rejected any criticism of the new rules – claiming that he is actually defending gay rights.
However, the EU Commission believes that the law discriminates against minorities on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity, among other things, and violates EU fundamental rights and values. Exactly one year ago, the authority initiated so-called infringement proceedings against Hungary. So far, however, Budapest has not calmed the concerns.
The club radio only broadcasts on the Internet
The same applies to the action against the club’s radio, probably the last independent professional radio in the country. The station was forced to stop broadcasting FM in February 2021 because the government media agency failed to renew its broadcast license. Since right-wing Prime Minister Orbán took office in 2010, the private broadcaster has been regularly subjected to a crackdown by media authorities. Among other things, before the license was revoked, he was only allowed to broadcast in the greater Budapest area. Currently, the club’s radio broadcasts its program only over the internet – although with a much smaller reach.
The EU Commission justified the TJ suit on Friday on the fact that Hungary had applied the rules to extend the broadcast frequency in an inappropriate and discriminatory manner.
Infringement process for fuel discounts
There are also problems between the EU and Hungary on another level. According to the EU Commission, Hungary is violating EU law by discriminating against foreigners at gas stations. The Brussels authority began so-called infringement proceedings against the country on Friday. Thus, Hungary’s measure violates internal market rules.
The Hungarian regulation stipulates that owners of foreign-registered vehicles cannot benefit from state subsidies and therefore have to pay higher prices at petrol stations. According to the Commission, Hungarian vehicle owners will pay 60 to 70 percent less for fuel as a result. The government introduced the discount in the context of high energy prices.
The Commission urged Hungary to respect the rules on the free movement of goods and people within the EU, including in relation to transport services. Especially in the current situation, it is important that the internal market works to cushion the effects of the war in Ukraine on the economy. Individual measures at the national level and discriminatory rules are not a solution, he said.
If Hungary does not address the European Commission’s concerns during the process, the authority can sue the country before the European Court of Justice.
(APA/dpa)