EU likely to take legal action against Hungary

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union says it probably will take legal action soon against Hungary over concerns about constitutional changes that have raised accusations democracy is under threat in the member state.

The changes passed last month include bans on political campaign ads on private television and radio, the option of fining or jailing homeless people for living on the street, and a narrow definition of family. The legislation amended the constitution to reinstate those laws, which were earlier ruled unconstitutional by Hungary's highest court.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said on Wednesday that a legal analysis of the changes "will lead, probably, to infringement procedures and this will happen rather quickly."

The EU Commission already wrote to Budapest that a first analysis raised questions about the rule of law.