Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has criticized the European Union for what he perceives as a double standard in its evaluation of Hungary’s adherence to the rule of law. During an appearance on Slovak television, Eštok highlighted that the EU has largely remained silent on recent political actions taken under Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, despite having previously been more vocal about similar issues.
Eštok pointed to several significant changes in Hungary, such as the dismissal of the country’s president, amendments to the constitution, restrictions on parliamentary members, and reforms to the national public broadcaster. He argued that if these measures had been implemented under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the EU’s response would likely have been more critical, potentially involving sanctions.
The Slovak Interior Minister also questioned the European Commission’s apparent lack of scrutiny over these developments, suggesting that the response from EU institutions has been insufficient given the circumstances. His concerns echo those of Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, who previously stated that changes affecting the presidency in Hungary were inconsistent with fundamental rule-of-law principles.
This criticism contributes to the ongoing debate about the EU’s approach to democratic and legal developments in Hungary. Eštok’s comments underscore a broader dissatisfaction within Slovakia regarding the EU’s handling of political changes in its neighboring country, raising questions about the consistency and efficacy of the EU’s oversight mechanisms.