Hungary's foreign minister has dismissed a European Parliament resolution condemning the country, saying that it amounted to a "new attack on Hungary by George Soros's network."
In the resolution adopted earlier on May 17, the European Parliament condemned what it called a "serious deterioration" in the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary.
The document also urges the Hungarian government to repeal laws tightening rules against asylum seekers and nongovernmental organizations and to make it possible for a top university founded by financier George Soros to remain in Budapest as "a free institution."
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long criticized civil society organizations funded by Hungarian-born Soros, accusing them of opposing his tough migration policies.
"European institutions are clearly unable to accept the fact that...the government of Hungary is continuing to practice a migration policy that is exclusively aimed at ensuring the security of Hungary," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement.
The resolution called on the European Council to launch Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union that gives a formal warning to a member state accused of violating rights.
The next step would be launching Article 7(2), which would entail sanctions such as suspended voting rights.
The procedure has never been triggered against any EU member state.