Slovakia prefers dialogue on the rule of law violations in Hungary

Slovakia considers the principle of the rule of law to be the basis for the functioning of the European Union, but in the case of rule of law violations in Hungary, it still sees room for discussion, according to the preliminary opinion of the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry concerning the proposed Council decision on the clear risk that Hungary is seriously breaching the values on which the European Union is founded. The Hungarian Government of Viktor Orban is accused of silencing the media, attacking NGOs and removing independent judges. The opinion is now under interdepartmental review. "Slovakia has always preferred mutual dialogue as a way of resolving disputes. In the light of the gravity, both political and economic, of the consequences for a member state if a violation of the rule of law is determined, it seems desirable to lead a dialogue with Hungary in the first place, even in the form of a hearing," reads the material. The activation of Article 7 might lead to the suspension of voting rights for the penalised country in the Council of the EU. However, a unanimous vote in the EU 28 member states is required to suspend Hungary's voting rights and launch sanctions against it.