Gabor Horvath: EU Needs Stronger Guarantees vs. Democratic Backsliding
02.10.2024
Gabor Horvath
The examples of Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland suggest, that a much stronger safeguard against democratic backsliding will be demanded, and those guarantees can further delay the process. Where does European integration end, geographically and in-depth, from the point of view of commonality of this space? The Newssky correspondent has asked Gabor Horvath, deputy editor-in-chief of the Hungarian newspaper Népszava, to express his opinion.
As you know, Europe and Asia are geographically very close…
It is clear, that Europe starts at Cape Roca, some 40 kilometers from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is much more difficult to tell, where it ends. The established border on the East is the Ural Mountains and the river of the same name. But this is only a border of convention, as Europe and Asia share the same mass of land, called Eurasia. This one spreads from Cape Roca to Russia’s Cape Dezhnev (Cape Eastern), their distance on land is about 13 thousand kilometers – they’re much closer in the other direction, over the oceans and the American continent.
But geography is far from fullness of the concept, what is happening there?
This was the easy part. It is more difficult to tell where European integration ends in geographical terms. At the Eastern borders of the current EU member countries, or should we consider the candidates too? If so, where does it take us? To Turkey? And what about those countries who right now only aspire to become candidates, but have not opened negotiations about their accession?
And as we know, even the euro is not shared by all European countries…
To add some depth to the problem: countries in the EU’s inner circle use the common currency, while some, like Hungary, don’t even contemplate introducing the euro. So, even the current members form at least two, maybe three distinct categories. (Euro-zone, euro- but out of the Schengen Zone, and those left out of both). Countries do have the option to switch categories and enter the inner circle of more closely cooperating states. Still, it takes political will, public support, and good fortune to cover the distance.
Can the factor of Hungary and Slovakia affect the future European integration of other states?
Now, looking at Ukraine’s future, it is highly likely that the European Union will require long negotiations before the actual accession. During this time, Ukraine can adapt itself to European laws and regulations and learn how to immerse in ever closer, but strictly voluntary integration with countries based on common values and interests. Integration will begin – or already has begun – well before formal membership is achieved. Unfortunately, the examples of Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland suggest, that a much stronger safeguard against democratic backsliding will be demanded, and those guarantees can further delay the process.
Maryna Kovalchuk, deputy editor-in-chief (Central Europe and Canada), and head of the V5 Media project, contributed.
