A group of EU lawmakers has urged member states’ governments to take action against Hungary’s Viktor Orban for undermining democracy at home. The lawmakers have moved closer to suspending Budapest’s vote in the bloc. A letter signed by 120 of the European Parliament’s 705 members called for the punishment.
In December, Orban blocked a review of the EU budget that included granting Ukraine 50 billion euros in new financial aid through 2027. This move led to increased tension during last month’s EU summit and highlighted the ongoing disputes between the bloc and Budapest over issues such as the independence of Hungarian courts, corruption, and freedom of minorities.
One of the authors of the letter, Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa, stated that the letter shows a clear willingness in the Parliament to launch Article 7.2 TEU, which is the next step in the disciplinary process for countries not respecting the rule of law.
“But above all, it highlights the urgency of addressing Viktor Orban’s actions,” said Sarvamaa, who is from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).
However, Balazs Hidveghi, an MEP from Orban’s Fidesz party, criticized the letter as another attack by Hungary’s critics. The European Parliament aims to adopt a resolution on Hungary next week amid dissatisfaction with the European Commission’s decision in December to unfreeze EU financial support to Budapest, which had been suspended due to concerns about Orban undermining democratic checks and balances.
There has been a long-standing dispute between Hungary and the EU over various issues, including the rights of migrants, the LGBT community, and freedom of courts and academics. The Commission and international watchdogs have criticized Budapest for damaging the rule of law.
The lengthy process of the punitive “Article 7” procedure, launched against Hungary in 2018, could eventually lead to suspending Hungary’s voting rights in the bloc.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Orban has also spoken out against the EU’s sanctions against Moscow and its support for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet again in Brussels on Feb. 1 to discuss the 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine, and taking away Hungary’s EU vote could make it easier to agree on aid for Ukraine.
With Poland no longer supporting Orban, following the election of pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the potential suspension of Hungary’s EU vote has become more realistic.
(Additional reporting by Gergely Szakacs in Budapest; Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Jan Strupczewski and Nick Macfie)
