>Hungary and Poland have come to each other's defense on and off since the Middle Ages. And they are doing so now as the European Union increases pressure on the two countries to tamp down what (((Brussels))) views as their attacks on democracy.
>The power of their alliance was evident during a meeting Thursday in (((Brussels))) between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The two were trying to resolve concerns the EU has about the independence of Poland's courts after the government dramatically increased its control of the judiciary. That action led the (((European Commission))) last December to trigger an unprecedented Article 7 proceeding against Warsaw. Nicknamed the "nuclear option," it could ultimately lead to Poland losing (((EU))) voting rights if it fails to comply with (((EU))) demands by March 20.
>The power of their alliance was evident during a meeting Thursday in (((Brussels))) between European Commission President (((Jean-Claude Juncker))) and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The two were trying to resolve concerns the EU has about the independence of Poland's courts after the government dramatically increased its control of the judiciary. That action led the European Commission last December to trigger an unprecedented Article 7 proceeding against Warsaw. Nicknamed the "nuclear option," it could ultimately lead to Poland losing (((EU))) voting rights if it fails to comply with (((EU))) demands by March 20.
>It started on Jan. 3 when the then newly appointed Morawiecki chose Budapest for his first international visit as Poland's prime minister. He had been expected to first go to (((Brussels))) to try to smooth things over with the (((European Commission.)))
>For (((Brussels))), the alliance couldn't come at a worse time. (((EU))) officials — led by France and Germany — are seeking to better integrate the bloc economically and politically. They want to develop a viable refugee policy and reach a consensus on the next long-term (((EU))) budget.
