Katalin Cseh

Given both Poland and Hungary are the two member states deemed to be the worst offenders, governments of those two countries challenged the mechanism before the CJEU in 2021, arguing that it lacked a proper legal basis in the EU Treaties.

Ten member states as well as the European Commission itself will be opposing the Warsaw-Budapest tandem, who argue that the definition of the rule of law is too vague and the mechanism merely replicates the already ongoing Article 7 procedure, but gives Brussels more room for manoeuvre while also scrapping the right of veto by member states.

Hungary and Poland were among five countries not to join EPPO, which will be partly staffed by prosecutors sourced from participating member states. Ireland and Denmark enjoy opt-out benefits in justice and home affairs cooperation, while the European Commission says Sweden plans to join EPPO next year. Hungary and Poland will be harder to convince.

Police in Hungary on Wednesday at 6am detained an opposition politician, János Csóka-Szűcs, in Gyula, a small town in Békés County, the media outlet Magyar Narancs reported.

Csóka-Szűcs is the local leader of an opposition movement called the Kossuth Circle and a supporting member of the Momentum party.