Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, is appealing to Prime Minister Gonzi to ask EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy to convene the European Council for an urgent discussion on the degeneration of democracy in Hungary.

Prof Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, said: “Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, has been playing about too much with changes in the constitution, restrictions on the media and now manipulation of parliamentary procedures. Obtaining a strong parliamentary majority does not give one “carte blanche” to manipulate with the basic rules of democracy. Malta’s Prime Minister should speak out clearly that such behaviour is not acceptable in the free and pluralistic EU which we have fought to be part of”.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “We reiterate the call of the European Green Party for stronger action in the EU to safeguard democracy. Member states who tinker with democracy should not be allowed to do this. More and not less Europe is required for democratization of societies, pluralism and respect for diversity”.