Page 11 - bne_newspaper_May 5 2017

Central Europe
May 5, 2017 www.intellinews.com I Page 11
Orban backs down in “battle to defend academic freedom” in Hungary
bne IntelliNews
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban pledged at a stormy session of the European People's Party (EPP) last weekend that he will comply with demands of the European Commission to amend the controversial higher education law, which Mi- chael Ignatieff, rector of Budapest's Central Eu- ropean University (CEU), called on May 3 a “bat- tle to defend academic freedom” in the country.
The Hungarian PM was summoned to the closed session of the centre-right European party cau- cus on April 29 to explain the latest develop- ments about the law, which became law in April and comes into effect in October, and is widely regarded as an attempt by his populist Fidesz party to close down the respected liberal aca- demic institution of CEU. The EPP leadership set out in a statement that it sent a clear message to the Hungarian PM that he must respect aca- demic freedom and the autonomy of universities. He should also halt anti-Brussels propaganda.
The EPP – which includes heavyweights such as Germany’s CDU and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, as well as Fidesz – has come under intense pressure during the crisis over the CEU to rein in the Hungarian leader. The group has acted as a major shield for Orban’s controversial turn towards “illiberal democracy” since he returned to power in 2010.
Reports by Germany’s Der Spiegel say Orban en- gaged in a bitter row with Juncker at the meeting, and that other EU officials threatened Hungary’s
Viktor Orban has a long track record of backing down when it comes to the crunch in his battles with Brussels.
EU funds – the main point of leverage that Brus- sels holds.
The EPP meeting also attacked Budapest's ‘na- tional consultation’ – a survey sent out to Hungar- ian households asking them to respond to ques- tions regarding the EU’s right to oversee local legislation.
Joseph Daul, EPP president and a long-time
ally of Orban, said: “the constant attacks on Eu- rope, which Fidesz has launched for years, have reached a level we cannot tolerate”. The EPP wants the CEU to remain open, have the deadlines suspended, and see dialogue with the US institu- tion opened.
As is standard, Orban appears ready to backtrack in the face of real pressure at an EU level. How- ever, Orban did not tell the EPP that he will with- draw the law, only promising to fulfil the demands set by the Commission.
The EPP is far from convinced that the Hungarian PM is ready to follow up his promises with real action to quell the fight against the EU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly said that she is now waiting for “the actual results” from the meeting.
The European Commission launched infringe- ment proceedings against Hungary earlier in the week over the amendment of the higher education law, which it says violates EU rules on the freedom of establishment and freedom