The European Commission on Wednesday launched legal action against Hungary over the issue, giving the government one month to comply or face being taken to court. "Prime Minister Viktor Orban pledged in the EPP council to follow and carry out all the demands of the European Commission within the timeframe set by the Commission," said Siegfried Muresan, a spokesman for EPP President Joseph Daul. However, Orban told the Hungarian state newswire MTI through his spokesman Bertalan Havasi that the university should not "enjoy special privileges" even if his government is ready to cooperate with the Commission and does not wish to close the institution.
"The rules in Hungary must apply in the same way to everyone," Havasi said. EPP chief Daul said in a statement that the party "sent a clear message to prime minister Orban and to his member party, Fidesz, that we will not accept that any basic freedoms are restricted or that the rule of law is disregarded. "The EPP demanded from Fidesz and from the Hungarian authorities that they take all necessary steps to comply with the Commission's request. Prime Minister Orban has reassured the EPP that Hungary will act accordingly."
The EPP insisted that the Central European University remain open and all action against it be withdrawn. The Commission, the executive of the 28-nation EU, on Wednesday launched so-called infringement action against Hungary over the law targeting the university, alleging breaches of fundamental EU free market laws. Hungary can be taken to the European Court of Justice if it fails to comply and the court could impose stiff financial penalties. Orban's cabinet chief Antal Rogan told Hungarian public television that "Orban made clear during the meeting that we believe that no legal modification threatens the presence of the Soros-founded CEU operation in Hungary." Orban added that university's "freedom of education and scientific research is ensured" and that "the university can launch its new academic year," Rogan said.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2017