Slovenia takes over the EU Presidency
On 1 July, Slovenia will take over the presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time. The six-month programme of the presidency follows the long-term goals included in the 18-month framework of the “Trio” Presidency countries, namely Germany, Portugal and Slovenia). Under the slogan “Together. Resilient. Europe”, the Presidency will target four priorities: (1) Resilience, recovery and strategic autonomy of the EU, (2) Foster the Conference on the Future of Europe to reflect on the future, (3) Strengthen the rule of law and European values of equality, (4) Increase security and stability in the European Neighbourhood.
Article 7 procedure against Poland & Hungary
During their General Affairs Council session of 22 June, EU Ministers discussed the attacks on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary, two countries currently scrutinised under the EU Treaty’s Article 7 procedure resulting from their actions threatening the EU’s rule of law, human rights and democratic principles. Both countries are accused of undermining judicial autonomy, independent media, the civic sector, and vulnerable minority populations, as well as spreading anti-democratic practices in Central Europe.
Poland is accused of undermining women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services and opposing EU Court of Justice decisions, whereas Hungary has reinforced its executive power at the expense of human rights, such as the rights to freedom of expression, information and peaceful assembly, in addition to a recent bill banning the portrayal of homosexuality to minors. A bill that triggered outrage in Europe, and was labelled as “a shame” by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, with legal steps envisaged against Hungary to ensure full respect for EU law. Later, 17 EU leaders vowed to “continue fighting against discrimination towards the LGBTI community.”
Frontex ignores illegal pushbacks
On 23 June, Amnesty International issued a report holding the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) accountable for ignoring illegal pushbacks occurring in Greece where the agency is supposed to be operational. On the eve, the European Court of Auditors Special Report 08/2021 had been discussed at the European Parliament. This report considers Frontex’s support to external border management not sufficiently effective to date because of shortfalls in transparency regarding its activities, its lack of preparedness to fulfil its new and expanded 2019 mandate and to fight against cross-border crime.