Latest news with #Rosencrantz
France 24
18 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Hungary's Pride march ban a 'serious breach' of EU values: Sweden's EU minister
On the main thrust of the EU and NATO summits, Rosencrantz says: "It's been a historic week. Leaders have agreed on a very ambitious 5 percent (of GDP spending on defence) target at the NATO summit and at the European Council. Sweden has full focus on this, and we have an eight-party agreement, so all the parties in the Swedish parliament agree to reach this target." Rosencrantz elaborates: "In Sweden, we say that the support to Ukraine is our most important foreign policy priority. And we can also see now that Europe has actually surpassed the US when it comes to military support to Ukraine. We have a crucial role to play and we really have to maintain our focus, but not just by talking, but also by delivering concrete support. And that is something that the Nordic and Baltic countries are taking a lead in." While talks on the latest potential round of sanctions stalled at the EU summit, Rosencrantz stresses that "Sweden has been pushing for the 18th sanctions package. We think it's really important to put further pressure on Russia alongside our direct support to Ukraine. Different countries have different views, but so far we have managed to agree on the previous 17 sanctions packages. So I have good faith." Turning to the Hungarian governments controversial ban on the June 28 Pride march, Rosencrantz opines: "To me, it's really important to say that the EU is not just a geographical union. We're a union based on values. And as a member state, you have signed up to respecting fundamental values such as rule of law, anti-corruption, independent judiciary and for allowing people to be who they are and love who they are. So implementing legislation in Hungary, that basically means forbidding Pride parades, but also actually means imposing restrictions on people's possibility to meet or to express their opinions – that's a serious breach. So I think it's important to use all the tools in the toolbox." Asked what concrete action could follow, she replies: "You know, we have different tools. One thing is, going into the upcoming negotiations on the [EU] budget, not a single euro should go to a country that does not respect rule of law or our basic common principles, and that's something that Sweden will be really pushing for in this multiannual framework. The second is to intervene, legally, in different court processes in the European Court of Justice. Right now, Sweden is intervening in many cases, including on the LGBT law. And also last but not least, we have Article Seven, which is sort of the ultimate tool in the toolbox. I think we should be prepared there to take the next step in discussing what we can do." We also discuss the Middle East, and what leverage – if any – the EU has when it comes to Gaza. "The situation in Gaza is terrible. We are always standing up for Israel 's right to defend itself against Hamas. But the way that Israel is conducting its warfare at the moment is unacceptable," Rosencrantz states, adding: "Sweden is actually the second-largest donor of humanitarian support to Gaza in the EU. And this humanitarian aid does not reach the people that need it. So we need to put pressure on Israel to make sure that humanitarian aid gets into Gaza. We have welcomed the review of the [Israel-EU] Association Agreement. And there are clear indications that Israel is not living up to all the standards that it should. What we want as a next step is to have clear recommendations on how we can take this process further. We're also pushing for sanctions against some of the ministers in the Israeli government who are not seeking a two-state solution and are hindering the way forward."
27-05-2025
- Politics
New Hungarian law could ban Pride events. Most EU countries are demanding a rethink
BRUSSELS -- A large majority of European Union countries on Tuesday called on Hungary to revise a new law that allows bans on public events by LGBTQ+ communities, as pressure mounts on the country's populist government over democratic backsliding. In a declaration, at least 20 out of the EU's 27 nations, including France, Germany and Spain, expressed concern that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organizing or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them. 'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said. They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly.' The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government has introduced legislation that its partners see as undermining rule of law standards. 'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration. Rosencrantz said that the EU is 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles.' Hungary's EU affairs minister, János Bóka, said that the new law has simply been misunderstood. 'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Bóka told reporters. 'I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.' The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary. He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is underway now.' McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban organizations it deems a threat to national sovereignty. The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and nongovernmental organizations. It would allow Hungary 's contentious Sovereignty Protection Office to identify organizations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests. 'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,' McGrath said. 'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added. As part of its many legal disputes with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, the European Commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part because of fears that the money may be misused. 'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros ($20 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule of law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' McGrath told reporters. Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly becaue of the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's gross domestic product dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU. Hungary has also drifted ever further from the EU fold over the Russia-Ukraine war, repeatedly holding up the passage of multibillion-euro aid packages to Kyiv and sanctions on Moscow. But its European partners are growing more inclined to proceed without Orbán's government.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A new Hungarian law could ban Pride events. Most EU countries are demanding a rethink
BRUSSELS (AP) — A large majority of European Union countries on Tuesday called on Hungary to revise a new law that allows bans on public events by LGBTQ+ communities, as pressure mounts on the country's populist government over democratic backsliding. In a declaration, at least 20 out of the EU's 27 nations, including France, Germany and Spain, expressed concern that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organizing or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them. 'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said. They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly.' The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government has introduced legislation that its partners see as undermining rule of law standards. 'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration. Rosencrantz said that the EU is 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles.' Hungary's EU affairs minister, János Bóka, said that the new law has simply been misunderstood. 'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Bóka told reporters. 'I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.' The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary. He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is underway now.' McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban organizations it deems a threat to national sovereignty. The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and nongovernmental organizations. It would allow Hungary 's contentious Sovereignty Protection Office to identify organizations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests. 'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,' McGrath said. 'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added. As part of its many legal disputes with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, the European Commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part because of fears that the money may be misused. 'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros ($20 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule of law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' McGrath told reporters. Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly becaue of the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's gross domestic product dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU. Hungary has also drifted ever further from the EU fold over the Russia-Ukraine war, repeatedly holding up the passage of multibillion-euro aid packages to Kyiv and sanctions on Moscow. But its European partners are growing more inclined to proceed without Orbán's government. ___ Justin Spike contributed to this report from Budapest, Hungary. Lorne Cook, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
New Hungarian law could ban Pride events – majority of EU countries urge rethink
Countries including EU heavyweights France, Germany and Spain expressed concern, in a declaration, that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organising or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them. 'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said. They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule-of-law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly'. The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government had introduced legislation that its partners saw as undermining rule-of-law standards. 'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration. Ms Rosencrantz said that the 27-nation EU was 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles'. Hungary's EU affairs minister, Janos Boka, said that the new law had simply been misunderstood. 'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Mr Boka told reporters. 'I hope that after these discussions, my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.' The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary. He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is under way now'. Mr McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalise and potentially ban organisations it deems a threat to national sovereignty. The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and non-governmental organisations. It would allow Hungary's controversial sovereignty protection office to identify organisations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests. 'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the charter of fundamental rights of the European Union,' Mr McGrath said. 'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added. As part of its many legal disputes with prime minister Viktor Orban's government, the commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part due to fears that the money may be misused. 'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros (£15 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule-of-law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' Mr McGrath told reporters. Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly due to the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's GDP dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU. Hungary has also drifted ever further from the EU fold over the war in Ukraine, repeatedly holding up the passage of multibillion-euro aid packages and sanctions. But its European partners are growing more inclined to proceed without Mr Orban's government.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Hungarian law could ban Pride events – majority of EU countries urge rethink
A group of 17 European Union countries has called on Hungary to revise a new law that allows the government to ban public events by LGBT+ communities, as pressure mounts on the country's populist government over democratic backsliding. Countries including EU heavyweights France, Germany and Spain expressed concern, in a declaration, that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organising or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them. 'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said. They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule-of-law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly'. The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government had introduced legislation that its partners saw as undermining rule-of-law standards. 'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration. Ms Rosencrantz said that the 27-nation EU was 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles'. Hungary's EU affairs minister, Janos Boka, said that the new law had simply been misunderstood. 'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Mr Boka told reporters. 'I hope that after these discussions, my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.' The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary. He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is under way now'. Mr McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalise and potentially ban organisations it deems a threat to national sovereignty. The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and non-governmental organisations. It would allow Hungary's controversial sovereignty protection office to identify organisations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests. 'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the charter of fundamental rights of the European Union,' Mr McGrath said. 'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added. As part of its many legal disputes with prime minister Viktor Orban's government, the commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part due to fears that the money may be misused. 'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros (£15 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule-of-law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' Mr McGrath told reporters. Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly due to the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's GDP dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU. Hungary has also drifted ever further from the EU fold over the war in Ukraine, repeatedly holding up the passage of multibillion-euro aid packages and sanctions. But its European partners are growing more inclined to proceed without Mr Orban's government.
