Gulyas: Hungary to participate in debate on Article 7 procedure

Although the Hungarian government sees the EP's approval of the Sargentini report as illegitimate, it will participate in a General Affairs Council debate on launching an Article 7 procedure against the country, the head of the Prime Minister's Office told a press conference on Friday. At the meeting scheduled for Monday, the government will aim to fully brief all member states on the issue, Gergely Gulyas said. The procedure against Hungary is political in nature, although it is being painted as one protecting the rule of law, Gulyas said. The government sees the charge that the rule of law is endangered in Hungary systemically as absurd, he said.