Jourova ‘has insulted’ Hungary, must resign, PM says

Orbán said that unless Jourova quits her post, Hungary would “suspend political relations” with her, Bertalan Havasi, the prime minister’s press chief, told MTI on Tuesday.

“Ever since joining the European Union in 2004, Hungary has been a committed member; we have always tried to reach an agreement when there is a dispute, and most often we’ve succeeded. We value the work of the president [Ursula von der Leyen] as head of the commission.”

Orbán added that Jourova had used “insulting language”, publicly calling Hungary a “sick democracy”, thereby insulting Hungarian EU citizens by implying there were unable to form an independent opinion.

“Not only are these statements an attack on the democratically elected Hungarian government … they are offensive to Hungary and the Hungarian people, too,” the prime minister wrote.

Jourova’s statements fall foul of the commission’s role declared in the Lisbon Treaty to be neutral and objective, he said.

“Those who breach the Treaty are incapable of acting as a protector of the rule of law and European values. The commissioner’s statements are incompatible with her position, and she must resign. Until that happens, the Hungarian government will suspend bilateral political ties with Vera Jourova.”