The Green Party has called for a clear statement from Fine Gael on the future of Orban’s Fidesz Party within the European People’s Party. On Monday (30 March) the Hungarian Parliament passed a law that gives sweeping new powers to prime minister Viktor Orban to rule by decree for an unlimited period of time.Speaking today, Green MEP for Dublin, Ciarán Cuffe said: “Yesterday, thirteen centre-right parties from the European People’s Party (EPP) signed a letter calling for Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party to be expelled from the EPP. I was surprised and disappointed not to have seen Fine Gael on the list of signatories to that letter. The actions of Orban and the Fidesz Party are in complete contradiction to everything that the European Union stands for and holds dear: the safeguarding of democracy, equality, peace, justice and cooperation. It is important that Fine Gael clarifies its position on the future of Fidesz within the EPP without delay.”Newly elected Senator and Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Party, Pauline O’Reilly said: “We have expressed serious concern for years now at the dismantling of democracy carried out by Orban and the Fidesz Party. They are now using the Covid-19 pandemic crisis as an excuse to create a full blown dictatorship, making Hungary the only EU country to be put under the exclusive command of the government for an indefinite period. It is crucial that the EU Commission acts to ensure EU values are upheld during the Covid-19 crisis. There is a danger for the citizens of nations across the globe that measures intended to protect, are used by authoritarian governments to instead control. Ireland must show leadership and condemn these breaches of human rights.”