Hungarian PM calls for EU's abolition

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on December 22 for the European Parliament to be abolished.

Right-wing Fidesz leader Orbán said that the recent scandal in the Parliament showed that anti-corruption safeguards have “failed miserably", reports Politico.

“If we want to restore public trust, it’s time to abolish the European Parliament,” he added.

In far-fetched remarks that will spark eye-rolling from his nemeses around the EU, Orbán proposed creating a new European Parliament, consisting of national delegates. “This guarantees greater oversight, accountability and credibility. Give control back to the Member States!” he said.

Hungary has been in the EU’s crosshairs for years over democratic backsliding during Orban’s decade-plus in power in Budapest, where he has championed “illiberal democracy.”

A corruption scandal, dubbed Qatargate, has rocked the European Parliament in recent weeks. The institution’s former Vice President Eva Kaili was charged as part of an investigation into Qatar’s lobbying operation in the EU.