Status: Not Ratified
Hungary has a unicameral system, requiring the National Assembly to ratify CETA. Under the governing party of Fidesz, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, there has yet to be a formal discussion of the CETA bill.
Public debate
Contestation of CETA’s ratification has been limited in Hungary. The main political party in opposition are the Greens. CSOs opposed to CETA include environmentalists and trade unions. Contention surrounds transparency, environmental protection and sustainable development, the investor-state dispute settlement provisions, and labour rights. Opponents to CETA argue that the investor-state dispute settlement system will inhibit the government’s flexibility on environmental regulation and labour rights, creating downward pressure on standards. Opponent CSOs include Towards Sustainability Association, Civilek Mecsekért Mozgalom and the Magyar Antifasiszta Liga.
Trade data
Hungary had a trade surplus in goods trade with Canada of €174 million in 2021 (Eurostat). Moreover, imports from Canada were €80 million, 0.2% of Hungary’s imports from outside the EU . Exports were €253 million, 1% of Hungary’s extra-EU exports (Eurostat). Canada-Hungary bilateral goods trade (imports + exports) grew by €203 million, or 41.2%, between 2016 and 2019 (Statistics Canada).
Sources
Corporate Europe Observatory. (November 2016). European and Canadian civil society groups call for rejection of CETA. Link
Eschbach, A. The Ratification Process in EU Member States – A presentation with particular consideration of the TTIP and CETA free trade agreements. Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. Link
Foodwatch. (March 2021). “12 EU Member States can still stop CETA.” Link.
Patterson, B. (2017). “Hungary says it won’t ratify CETA because of ISDS provision”. The Council of Canadians. Link.
Click here to return to CETA Tracker: Main Page
Click here for the Centre for European Studies, EU Learning.
Image: https://flagpedia.net