Fidesz MEP slams EC rule of law report as 'political blackmail'

Balazs Hidveghi, an MEP of Hungary's ruling Fidesz, on Wednesday slammed the European Commission's annual rule of law report covering all member states as "political blackmail dressed up in legal garb". "It didn't come as a surprise," Hidveghi said in a video message commenting on the report, adding that the government "had no illusions in connection with the EC's so-called rule of law report after the events of the past few weeks". He said Brussels was "using this frivolous and biased document" to call Hungary to account for its own ideological expectations. Hidveghi said the report was "full of absurd claims that have nothing to do with reality".