European Parliament members have ramped up pressure on Hungary with a call for the nation’s EU voting rights to be scrutinized, reflecting deepening concern over Budapest’s adherence to rule-of-law standards. MEPs voted in favor of a nonbinding resolution urging the other EU member states’ governments to consider if Hungary has persistently breached EU values.
The move reflects a lengthy tussle between the Parliament and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been repeatedly accused of democratic backsliding. The MEPs’ decision follows Orbán’s controversial decision to block fresh EU funding for war-affected Ukraine.
Hungarian liberal MEP Katalin Cseh stated, “This House shows that we are serious when it comes to defending the rule of law in our Union and that we are not afraid of Prime Minister Orbán’s blackmailing attempts.”
The resolution, although lacking legal force, highlights Parliament’s dissatisfaction with Orbán’s rule and signals concern to other EU institutions. Prior to this action, 120 MEPs signed a widely circulated petition demanding the same measure, emphasizing the extent of discontent within the European Parliament.
Additionally, MEPs have called for exploring the possibility of taking the EU’s executive body to the Court of Justice of the European Union, incensed at its decision to unfreeze approximately €10 billion for Hungary. Despite the European Commission’s justification for the move, the Parliament’s legal affairs committee, alongside its legal service, will now have to examine the feasibility of such a case.
Daniel Freund, a Green MEP, voiced his disapproval of the Commission’s decision, saying, “We are also sending a strong signal to the Commission: If they simply distribute billions of euros in order to evade Hungary’s vetoes, they will not get away with it.”
The European Parliament’s resolution comes ahead of an EU leaders’ summit, with hopes to prompt Hungary to reverse its stance and release EU funding for Ukraine. Despite the resolution’s passage with 345 votes in favor, it remains uncertain how EU leaders will respond to the Parliament’s call for action regarding Hungary’s voting rights under Article 7.2 of the EU treaty.
Relevant articles:
– EU Parliament calls to strip Hungary of voting rights in rule-of-law clash
– EU Parliament wants Commission in court, Hungary stripped of voting rights, EURACTIV, Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:14:34 GMT
– Democracy Digest: When Robert Met Viktor, Balkan Insight, Fri, 19 Jan 2024 07:15:23 GMT
– EU lawmakers push on with move to try and limit Hungary’s voting rights, Al Jazeera English, Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:16:09 GMT