EP political groups, including Orbán’s own European People’s Party (EPP), held a joint press conference in Strasbourg Wednesday afternoon to call for EU action against the undemocratic steps of the Hungarian government.

The latest of those steps were the passing of a law that would force Central European University out of Hungary and the preparation of another law that requires NGOs funded by international donors to register and declare themselves as “foreign agents." The passing of the first law occurred without proper democratic debate, and the preparation of the latter bill is being supported by yet another so-called public consultation titled "Lets stop Brussels." As European Green Party President Ska Keller stated, it’s "not really a consultation, based on very suggestive question with which Orbán wants a nodding off for his position by the citizens of Hungary."

'A lighthouse in the world'

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke in support of CEU at the EP saying: "... if we want to be a lighthouse in the world for the rule of law and for human rights, then we cannot ignore when these foundations are shaken in the midst of Europe. Europe, then, must not be silent, when civil society, even academia - as now at Central European University, Budapest - are deprived of the air to breathe.”

Several EU commissioners also expressed their concerns, including Hungary’s Tibor Navracsics, who is responsible for education. A European Commission spokesperson told the press that after the CEU law amendment was passed on Tuesday, the college of commissioners will look into the issue and put it on its agenda for next week in Brussels, where it will be presented by EC Vice-President Frans Timmermans.

MEPs not blind to Orbán's transgressions

Gianni Pittella, chair of the S&D group in the EP, promised to present an oral question on violations of freedom and autonomy of institutions in Hungary.

Sophia in 't Veld, of the ALDE group, told the press that she is sad that Hungary is again on the agenda, but that it was necessary because what happens in Hungary strikes at the very core of what the EU is all about. In 't Veld added that it is time for EPP group leader Manfred Weber to choose sides: is he on the side of Orbán; or does he stand with the European people.

The EPP group was represented by Róża Thun from the Polish Civil Platform Group, who agreed with the statements of her fellow MEPs: "We stand with CEU and with NGOs in Hungary whose life is getting tougher and tougher. We all know from the so called communist countries those practices from the past, prosecuting organizations."

Thun added that the EPP will discuss the situation of CEU and the NGO financing law at its group meeting, and she assured the press that the EPP is not blind to these problems. MEPs should be particularly worried since the "foreign agent law" is based on Russian and Israeli examples. Furthermore, with the CEU law amendment and harassment of NGOs, Orbán has copied Vladimir Putin's authoritarian tactics, including the persecution of the organizations supported by George Soros.