Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has expressed criticism towards the European Union, accusing it of exhibiting double standards when evaluating the rule of law in Hungary. In a recent appearance on Slovak television, Eštok highlighted what he perceives as the EU’s muted response to political changes under Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar. He noted that similar issues in the past had prompted a more stringent reaction from the EU.
Eštok’s concerns revolve around several developments in Hungary, including the removal of the country’s president, amendments to the constitution, and changes impacting members of parliament, alongside reforms to the public broadcaster. He suggested that if these actions had been taken by Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the EU would likely have issued harsher criticism and possibly imposed sanctions.
The Slovak minister also raised questions about the European Commission’s approach, pointing out that recent political shifts in Hungary have not undergone the same level of scrutiny from EU institutions as they have in past situations. Eštok’s statements come amid a broader discussion on how the EU manages democratic and legal matters within its member states.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has echoed these concerns, particularly regarding constitutional changes that have affected the Hungarian presidency. Blanár argued that these changes are inconsistent with principles upholding the rule of law, further fueling the debate on the EU’s response to Hungary’s internal policies.
The comments from Slovakia’s top officials add another layer to the ongoing political discourse about the EU’s handling of governance and legal issues in Hungary. Their remarks underscore the tension between national governments and EU institutions over perceived inconsistencies in the enforcement of democratic standards.