Germany called on all EU states to respect the principle of the rule of law on Wednesday, after Hungary's nationalist premier Viktor Orban assumed sweeping new powers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We have very clear principles of the rule of law in the EU, and these have to be observed by all member states," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.
"The values on which the union is built are respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, rule of law and respect for human rights," she added.
"The EU only functions as a community of values if these values are respected and defended by all."
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