Hungarian lawmakers have voted to support a resolution which seeks to reduce the power of the European Parliament, saying it had led democracy into a dead-end.
“European democracy must be led out of the dead end into which the European Parliament has steered it,” the resolution states. “The European Union must change, because it is unprepared for the challenges of our times.”
It added that the EU’s treaties as they currently stand “are not an adequate basis for cooperation in a time of crisis”, and proposed that Europe’s “Christian roots and culture” should be recognised.
In a nod to the EU’s economic policies and the continuing cost of living crisis, the proposal called for a ban on the bloc from taking on any further debt.
It also called for the European Commission to remain politically and ideologically neutral, saying that all nations should have the right to decide who they want to live with.
The resolution, which was adopted by 130 votes in favour with 50 against, is likely to add to the continuing friction between the EU and Hungary, who have clashed recently on social policies, immigration and sanctions against Russia.
In April, the EU launched a rule-of-law mechanism against the Hungarian government, withholding funds to the country after public clashes on judicial appointments – and what Orban sees as measures to prevent interference in Hungarian affairs by the billionaire George Soros.