Thursday, March 28, 2019

European Union Digest: Turkish Accession Termination; European People’s Party Suspension of Fidesz; Egyptian Murder Case Lack of Cooperation


Turkish accession termination
The European Parliament voted last week to terminate the process of the accession of Turkey into the European Union.  The once-secular and free Turkey has become Islamist and increasingly authoritarian, which makes it incompatible with EU ideals. 

European People’s Party suspension of Fidesz
The European People’s Party (EPP), the main center-right EU Parliamentary Group, voted last week to suspend indefinitely Fidesz, the ruling Hungarian party, because of its lack of faithfulness to the EPP’s ideals of liberty and representative government.  Hungary has become illiberal, especially in its restriction of freedom of the press and intolerance of non-governmental organizations while pro-government businesses are favored.  Its Government has closed a university and launched an anti-EU campaign.  Although few people migrate to or seek refugee in Hungary, the Hungarian Government is the strongest opponent to the EU’s migration policy.  In an agreement between the EPP and Fidesz, a commission will be appointed to mediate the differences between them.

Egyptian murder case lack of cooperation
           The European Parliament this week cited the lack of adequate cooperation from Egypt in solving the case of an Italian student who was tortured and murdered there two years ago.  The authoritarian Egyptian regime is suspected.

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