Serbia’s EU Path in Question: No Progress, Closer Ties with Russia, EP Warns
The European Parliament (EP) has expressed disappointment over Serbia’s lack of progress in advancing EU accession negotiations
Hungary’s PM Orban Denies Plans to Restore Death Penalty
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at an EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 23 April 2015. Photo EPA/BGNES
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban doesn’t plan to reintroduce the death penalty, his chief of staff Janos Lazar said on Thursday.
The statement came after the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker warned Orban would be in for "a fight" if he considered restoring capital punishment which is outlawed in the EU.
Asked about Orban's comment this week that the issue should be on Hungary's agenda, Juncker said the EU's fundamental charter "forbids the death penalty".
Juncker also said that “Orban must immediately make clear that this is not his intention. If it would be his intention it would be a fight,” according to Reuters.
Orban informed European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Thursday that he only wanted to have a debate on the issue and wasn't planning to restore the death penalty, Lazar said, according to state-run Hungarian news agency MTI.
Hungary will "keep to EU laws", Lazar added.
Orban raised the issue of the possible reintroduction of the death penalty on Tuesday following the murder of a young tobacco shop assistant by a robber in the city of Kaposvar last week.
According to the rightwing premier current penalties for serious crime were too lenient and death penalty should be "kept on the agenda" in Hungary.
Hungary abolished capital punishment in 1990, fulfilling a key condition for membership of the European Union, which it joined in 2004.
Related Articles:
EU Commission Seeks Legal Action Against Bulgaria for Directive Non-Compliance
The European Commission has decided to refer Bulgaria to the Court of Justice of the European Union for its failure to properly implement several EU directives
EU to End Russian Gas Imports by 2027 as Part of New Energy Strategy
The European Union has set a goal to completely cut off Russian gas imports by 2027 as part of its broader strategy to reduce reliance on Russian energy resources
EU to Strengthen Vehicle Inspections with Focus on Emissions and Safety
The European Commission is proposing significant changes to EU regulations concerning road safety and vehicle registration
EU Condemns Russia Over Torture and Death of Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna
The European Commission has strongly condemned the circumstances surrounding the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna
EU Considers Splitting Ukraine and Moldova's Accession Paths Amid Hungary's Obstruction
The European Union is considering the possibility of separating Ukraine and Moldova in their EU accession processes due to Hungary's opposition to Ukraine's membership talks
EU Scandal Alert: Von der Leyen’s Secret Pfizer Chats Exposed by Court Ruling
The European Union’s General Court has delivered a significant blow to the European Commission
Russian Fighter Jet Briefly Enters NATO Airspace Amid Estonian Interception of 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has accused a Russian fighter jet of violating NATO territory after the Estonian Navy attempted to intercept a tanker believed to be
In His Inaugural Speech, Merz Pledges to Make the Bundeswehr the Strongest in Europe
In his inaugural speech as Chancellor, Friedrich Merz outlined a bold vision for Germany’s future, focusing heavily on strengthening its military and addressing the migration crisis
Europe's Salary Landscape: Bulgaria Lags Behind with Sixfold Wage Difference
Wages across Europe show considerable variation, with substantial differences in both nominal salaries and cost of living. A useful indicator in assessing these disparities is the average adjusted full-time salary of employees
Brussels Refuses to Comment on Bulgaria's Euro Referendum as Convergence Report Progresses
The European Commission has refrained from commenting on President Rumen Radev's call for a referendum on Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone
Thousands Protest in Slovakia Over Fico’s Moscow Visit
Thousands of Slovak citizens took to the streets in Bratislava and other cities on the night of May 9 to protest Prime Minister Robert Fico’s attendance at the Moscow parade
