The European People’s Party (EPP) has defended itself against populism, nationalism and EU criticism and has put its Hungarian member Viktor Orban in its place. A resolution adopted today in Helsinki states that all EPP member parties are called upon to promote values such as freedom, the rule of law and pluralism.
Hungary is not named. However, several politicians at the EPP Congress in the Finnish capital made clear that the resolution is aimed at Orban and his party FIDESZ. EPP Group leader Manfred Weber called on Orban to commit to European values. There is „no negotiating rebate on fundamental rights,“ he said. FIDSEZ delegates to the EPP Congress said they voted by majority vote in favor of the motion.
His opponent in the race for the top candidate, the former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, expressed himself more keenly. With regard to the basic value resolution, Stubb said: „If Viktor Orban signs them, he will remain in the party.“ Otherwise, a procedure to exclude from the EPP FIDSEZ ..
