During the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, in a debate titled “The Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights, and the Misuse of EU Funds in Slovakia: The Need for an EU Response,” Law and Justice MEP Tobiasz Bocheński took the floor, criticizing the parliamentary majority’s instrumental treatment of the rule of law.
In his speech, he drew attention to the recurring pattern of EU institutions’ reactions toward countries where conservative governments come to power.
“What an unbelievable situation. A right-wing government comes to power and is immediately accused of breaking the law, of not being democratic, and of failing to respect the fundamental principles of European civilization. Hungary, Poland, Slovakia—it’s the same story every time,” the MEP emphasized.
As he stated, the debate on the rule of law in the European Parliament is not conducted in the spirit of impartial concern for democratic standards, but is part of a political struggle.
“You are not discussing the rule of law at all. You are discussing how to secure for yourselves—the left present in this chamber—an undemocratic and authoritarian advantage in order to maintain power. Today’s European Union has become a political weapon used to attack governments representing different views,” said Bocheński.
The politician pointed out that the democratic choices of citizens in member states are being undermined if their decisions do not align with the expectations of the dominant majority in the European Parliament.
“We must commend the courageous peoples of Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. I hope that other countries will follow their lead and oppose the hypocrisy that dominates this debate today,” he noted.
The MEP also emphasized the need to return to “genuine dialogue based on mutual respect for the sovereignty of member states and the democratic choices of their citizens.”
