By Martin Banks - 18th January 2012
Hungary is a key member of the European family
José Manuel Barroso
The commission has launched a legal challenge against Hungary's new constitution.
The executive is concerned that aspects of the constitution violate EU laws on the independence of the national central bank, among other issues.
The so-called infringement proceedings were launched by the commission on Tuesday.
Announcing the move, commission president José Manuel Barroso said, "Hungary is a key member of the European family and we do not want a shadow of a doubt on the respect for democratic principles and values."
His comments were endorsed by Viviane Reding, EU justice commissioner, who said, "I expect the Hungarian authorities to address the commission's legal concerns swiftly. Only actual changes to the legislation in question, or their immediate suspension, will be able to accommodate the commission's legal concerns."
Earlier, economic and monetary affairs commissioner Olli Rehn warned that Hungary could face a suspension of EU cohesion funds.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán was due to address MEPs on the issue at their parliamentary plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Orbán has been under fire from some MEPs for imposing government control over institutions whose independence is protected by EU treaties.
Beside the central bank law, which gives the government a much larger role in naming top bank officials, the EU is objecting to the forced early retirement of hundreds of judges.
Budapest has until 17 February to respond to three formal commission letters, after which Barroso said the commission will analyse the responses.
If Hungary ignores further requests for changes, he said the commission can take it to the European Court of Justice and impose fines.
Reacting to the news, Peter Gyorkos, Hungary's ambassador to the EU, said, "We're waiting for the very concrete formulation of the concerns by the commission and my government will react immediately."
He said the government is eager to start talks with the commission though some of the objections raised might need to be resolved by the court.
"It's not our favourite option, but it is one of the legal tools laid out in the EU treaty," he said.
