Today’s Hungary lies under an authoritarian regime that does not practically differ much from a dictatorship. The freedom of the press is virtually abolished as quite all media are under the direct control of the regime. Judiciary independence is also non-existent. The far-right ideology that drives the ruling party – FIDESZ – based on Islamophobia, homophobia, hate against refugees and migrants, and anti-tziganism, among others, has nothing to do with the modern European states.
In addition, the Orbán regime is an open ally of Putin’s Russia and flirts with the anti-EU far-right in Europe and the alt-right in the United States. Viktor Orbán interfered in Slovenia and Slovakia, undermining the democratic elections.
What is more, the electoral system introduced by his regime makes free elections and a democratic change of power effectively impossible.
Unfortunately, the EU, especially the EPP, realised the threat the Hungarian government represents very late. The EPP suspended FIDESZ membership, and the EU froze considerable amounts of EU funds dedicated to Hungary. However, Orbán still damages the EU!
The European Parliament condemned the Hungarian government’s deliberate, continuous and systematic efforts to undermine the EU’s founding values.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, January 18, with 345 votes for, 104 against and 29 abstentions, MEPs expressed their concern about the further erosion of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, in particular through the recently adopted so-called ‘national sovereignty protection’ package – which is compared with Russia’s infamous’ foreign agents law’.
A group of 120 EU lawmakers from various political parties signed a petition calling for Hungary to be stripped of its voting rights in the EU decision-making process last week. The lawmakers believe that Hungary’s Prime Minister Orbán has repeatedly undermined democratic institutions and violated EU values since he came to power in 2010.
The lawmakers are also concerned about Hungary’s upcoming Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2024. They question whether the Hungarian Government can fulfil its duties during this period and warn that if the position of President of the European Council is vacant, the Hungarian Prime Minister would have to take on those duties during the country’s six-month Presidency of the Council.
In light of these concerns, the lawmakers are urging the Council to find proper solutions to mitigate these risks and are calling for reforms to the Council’s decision-making process. They hope to end the abuse of the right of veto and prevent any potential for blackmail.
The Hungarian regime violated the EU Treaties
Parliament regrets that the Council failed to implement the Article 7 (1) procedure despite Parliament’s activation of the mechanism in 2018. Parliament urges the European Council to assess whether Hungary has breached EU values persistently and thoughtfully under the more direct procedure of Article 7(2).
In addition, MEPs condemn Prime Minister Orbán’s actions, as he blocked the crucial decision to revise the EU’s long-term budget, including the Ukraine aid package, in December last year.
They consider it a violation of the principle of sincere cooperation and disregard for the EU’s strategic interests. MEPs emphasised that the EU should not yield to blackmail.
Protecting EU funds
In 2018, the EU’s anti-fraud agency (Olaf) investigated more than 35 projects aimed at improving public lighting in Hungary and found “serious irregularities” – all linked to the son-in-law of the Prime Minister.
In addition, there is strong evidence of endemic corruption related to the EU funds in Hungary.
Parliament is unhappy over the Commission’s decision to release €10.2 billion of previously frozen funds despite Hungary not fulfilling demanded judicial reforms. MEPs condemned discriminatory practices when allocating funds and regretted using manipulated procurement procedures and EU funds to enrich the government’s political allies. Parliament said it will examine legal action to overturn the decision.
The upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council
MEPs have stated that it is crucial to safeguard the European Union’s institutions, values, and funds during the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council.
However, based on recent events, Hungary is ill-equipped to take on this responsibility. The EU’s foreign and social policies, as well as its security and the entire set of EU values, may be at risk under the Hungarian Government’s Presidency.
