Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has leveled criticism at the European Union, accusing it of employing double standards in its evaluation of Hungary’s adherence to the rule of law. During a broadcast on Slovak television, Eštok argued that the EU has largely overlooked recent political developments in Hungary under the leadership of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, despite having taken a firmer stance on similar issues in the past.
Among the changes in Hungary that Eštok highlighted are the removal of the country’s president, alterations to the constitution, restrictions imposed on members of parliament, and reforms concerning the public broadcaster. He contended that if such measures had been enacted by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the EU’s response would have been much more critical, potentially even leading to sanctions.
Eštok further questioned the European Commission’s oversight, pointing out that current events in Hungary have not been subjected to the same level of examination by EU institutions as they might have been in previous situations. This sentiment echoes earlier concerns voiced by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, who argued that the constitutional changes affecting Hungary’s presidency conflict with the principles of the rule of law.
The comments from Slovak officials contribute to an ongoing political discussion about the European Union’s approach to managing democratic and legal developments within member states, particularly in Hungary. The debate centers on whether the EU is consistent in its application of rule-of-law assessments across different countries and political contexts.