Hungary and ECJ ruling on Central European University
Quote from Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield MEP
Today, the European Court of Justice has ruled that the "conditions introduced by Hungary to enable foreign higher education institutions to carry out their activities in its territory are incompatible with EU law". The ruling follows the Hungarian government's law amending the 'Law on higher education', which forced out the Central European University from Hungary. The CEU has long been a target of the Hungarian government and has since moved its operations to Vienna.
Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Greens/EFA MEP and European Parliament rapporteur on the situation in Hungary, comments:
"The ECJ has ruled on what should be clear in any European democracy; that measures to limit academic freedom are incompatible with EU law. Forcing out a university is undemocratic, it goes against European values and now it's been ruled as illegal. The Hungarian government must repeal its draconian anti-academic laws.
"The Central European University should never have been forced out of Hungary. The CEU is an important institution and a valuable resource for students in the whole region – many of whom may not have the means to relocate to Vienna. This ruling should send a warning to Viktor Orbán that it's time to step back from the brink of autocracy and reverse the Hungarian government's undemocratic path."
