JEF Finland warmly welcomes the European Parliament’s decision today to stand up to the Hungarian government. The European Parliament voted 448-197 to activate Article 7, which enables various disciplinary measures. JEF Finland had specifically called on the European People’s Party (EPP) group in Parliament to take a consistent stance on the matter as early as spring 2019.
“This is an excellent example of European institutions’ ability and willingness to defend the Union’s core values, such as the rule of law and a free civil society. Hopefully this serves as a reminder to Europe’s authoritarian leaders and populist parties going forward”, says JEF Finland President Tuomas Tikkanen.
“This is also a fine statement from the EPP on its commitment to defending the rule of law and the EU’s core values”, Tikkanen continues. Among Finnish parties, the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) belongs to the EPP, and its representatives voted in favour of activating Article 7.
JEF Finland wants to give special thanks to Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Petri Sarvamaa, Henna Virkkunen, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Heidi Hautala, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Elsi Katainen, Mirja Vehkaperä, Nils Torvalds and Merja Kyllönen for voting in favour of the activation.
“It’s great that we have MEPs like them who are committed to European values”, concludes Tikkanen.
For more information,
Tuomas Tikkanen
President
[email protected]
0405235768
Mikko Kymäläinen
Secretary General
[email protected]
04091120049