Sweden is one of the signatories of an open letter that the Netherlands has drawn up ahead of Tuesday's EU ministerial meeting in Brussels.
"Deep concern" is expressed over legislation and legislative changes driven through in Hungary during the spring, which open up for fines and bans on, for example, pride parades.
It is very clear when you strike at hbtqi people's opportunity to, among other things, participate in parades but, above all, meet and manifest their right to love whoever they want and be whoever they want. Here, the EU must act very forcefully, says Jessica Rosencrantz.
"No ban"
The criticism is being voiced at the same time as Hungary is once again being questioned in the formal so-called article seven-examination of how the country fulfills the rule of law principles that has been ongoing in the EU machinery for several years. However, very little is happening in the process - and Hungary does not think it is doing anything wrong.
This also applies to the hbtq issue.
There is no pride ban in Hungary. I hope that after these discussions, my colleagues will be able to come out with a more nuanced picture of Hungarian legislation, says Hungary's EU minister János Bóka in Brussels.
Recommendation?
The possibility for other EU countries to act against Hungary is simultaneously small. The article seven-process can lead to the country losing its voting right, but in that case, total unanimity among all other EU countries is required, which is considered unlikely.
Rosencrantz hopes that there is still sufficient majority to go out with a recommendation to Hungary - even if it does not sound very forceful.
-It may sound square, but is actually the first time in this case that one uses the tool so sharply against a member state. It becomes an ultimatum in this case to Hungary that now you must change course, otherwise we will have to take other measures, says the EU minister.
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Facts: For and against Hungary
TT
Twenty EU countries, including Sweden, France, and Germany, have signed a letter criticizing Hungary's legislation. Those who have not signed are, apart from Hungary, also Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia. The letter has not been signed by Poland either, with reference to the tradition that the country that is currently the presiding country avoids signing such posts.
