Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has raised concerns over what he perceives as the European Union’s double standards in evaluating the rule of law in Hungary. During a recent appearance on Slovak television, Eštok criticized the EU for its muted response to political changes happening under Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s leadership, despite having previously adopted a firmer stance on similar issues.
Eštok pointed out several controversial changes in Hungary, including the dismissal of the country’s president, amendments to the constitution, restrictions on parliamentary members, and alterations to the public broadcaster. He suggested that if former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had enacted such measures, the EU would have been more vocal in its criticism and might have even considered sanctions.
Highlighting what he sees as inconsistency, Eštok questioned why the European Commission has not scrutinized these recent developments in Hungary with the same rigor as in the past. His comments echo earlier statements by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, who also expressed concern about the constitutional changes impacting the presidency, arguing they are at odds with rule-of-law principles.
The remarks from Slovak officials add to the broader political debate regarding the EU’s approach to democratic and legal developments in Hungary. The issue continues to stir discussions on the EU’s role and consistency in addressing rule-of-law challenges within member states.