Belgium is leading the Council of the European Union until 30 June. The country’s foreign minister, Hadja Lahbib, said that Hungary does not carry out the needed reforms, so Brussels cannot end its Article 7 procedure against the country. That may strip Orbán of his voting right.
According to Világgazdaság, Hadja Lahbib said the Council of the European Union would discuss the Article 7 procedure against Hungary for the seventh time. However, Hungary still has issues with the rule of law, the rights of the minorities and the independence of the judiciary system, the Belgian minister believes.
She cited Poland’s example of how such a procedure can end quickly.
Vera Jourová, the EU’s commissioner for values and transparency, said the Article 7 procedure monitors media and academic freedom, the freedom of association, and the Orbán cabinet’s decree-based governance in Hungary.
The procedure against Hungary following the EU’s suspension clause (Article 7) may result in Orbán’s losing his voting right in the EU Council, which would be unprecedented, Világgazdaság wrote.
Viktor Orbán speaking after the elections.
Photo: Viktor Orbán / PrtSc from Facebook
Hungarian minister: EU using Article 7 as tool of political pressure
The European Union has been using the Article 7 procedure as a way to bend Hungary to the bloc’s mainstream position on key issues, János Boka, the European affairs minister, said in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
But hopefully, now that the EU elections are over, debates on the rule of law will be more objective and constructive, Boka told journalists before a meeting of EU affairs ministers at which the Article 7 procedure against Hungary is on the agenda.
He said it was expected that “voices that linked the Article 7 procedure to a certain negotiation position will fall silent”, adding that whereas the procedure itself as a political process was unlikely to change — and would be used to put Hungary under pressure regarding certain political issues — “strong rhetoric and the conflict-seeking” would ease.
Photo: www.facebook.com/EuropeanParliament
Boka said Hungary’s EU presidency starting next week would lead strategic discussions on policy areas that were key for the next institutional cycle.
The democracy protection package is on the agenda at today’s Luxembourg council meeting, he noted, adding that ministers will hold a policy debate on the proposal for establishing harmonised requirements on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries.
“Hungary agrees … that malign interference in the electoral process of the European Union is undesirable. The Hungarian presidency will take this dossier further,” he said.
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7 Comments
Knowing the corruption of Fidesz, it’s subversion of Hungarian democracy, freedom of expression and its’ increasing oppression of minorities I can’t see any way Hungary will get out of the Article 7 procedure and recover over 20 billion euros in EU funding. The course Fidesz is on just gets worse. Taking away Hungary’s voting right is the final step in the process and it may come to that but the members of the EU would prefer to avoid this and will only do it when they have had long enough to conclude the current Hungarian government is incapable of needed reform. The presidency of Hungary for the next six months will be a definite period of examination of Hungary’s role in the EU. If Hungary’s presidency is concluded to be malign in nature causing harm to the EU the membership will quickly proceed to the final stage of Article 7.
Huxit and everyone happy.
These unaccountable international organizations, devoid of any democratic mandate, need to be dissolved. They are a law unto themselves, stacked with far-Left and globalist-socialist activists, looking for solutions in need of problems. This is not the second half of the 20th century anymore, with countries reeling from WW2 or coming out of dictatorships so needing guidance and oversight. We, the people and the voters, know what these organizations and demanding from our governments and WE DO NOT WANT IT!
With Hungary assuming the leadership of the EU, it has to act responsibly and within the rule of law for all, as opposed to its strategy of breaking rules and suggesting a desire for the break up of the EU, on behalf of Anglo & other ultra conservatives including Putin.
Generally accepted in the ‘west’ that members join a club, then follow the rules; no exceptions for narcissists and nationalists, who depend on the EU as a false enemy, for domestic political point scoring and aiding Putin’s Russia and US fossil fuels oligarchs/GOP (forgetting ’56 & being like a Kadar regime in the 21st century).
Hungary’s or the Fidesz modus operandi has become repetitive and predictable, but the consequences will be carried by younger generations and the nation as middle aged and older seem more comfortable with nostalgia for Kadar one party socialist state?
However, with Magyar becoming an MEP (& knowledgeable about Fidesz) Hungary’s PM will struggle to be influential, let alone getting away with immature political gamesmanship in Brussels, especially if the latter is on alert?
Steiner Michael – we STILL wait, for YOUR paper, on the FUTURE – the SURVIVAL of Hungary, out of the European Union – out of N.A.T.O. just (2) platforms you repetitively ‘throw in’ to your CONVINCED opinion, that Hungary, under your ‘Beloved’ idol – Victor M. Orban, the Political Party he leads, the Fidesz Government of HUNGARY he leads, loving. the process of Orban, supporting him, through your membership of the Fidesz Political Party, to Orbans continuation to bring about the Distillation of Democracy in Hungary.
Survival again DIRECTED at you – Steiner Michael – without Democracy under the Laws of DEMOCRACY – the European Union, N.A.T. O. – all country’s GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY – how is Hungary going to SURVIVE ?
Orban – Russia & China the gigantic hand-over of MASSIVE slices of Hungary to these (2) two named country’s – the DEALS played out by Orban that inclusive in them, are ‘Contra Deals’ – with include BORROWING to endeavour to keep Hungary in a ‘supposed’ liquid position, and not INSOLVENT, which could be nearer to Fact than ‘Muted’ – the TRUE economic and financial picture or place of Hungary.
Orban, his Fidesz Government rated 26th of the 27 country’s of the European Union that ‘daylight’ grows between 26 & 25 – HORRIFIC.
Orban, his Fidesz Government have DESTROYED all relationships with country’s GLOBALLY that are DEMOCRACY’s.
Steiner Michael – you know the growing MOOD change in Hungary, exhibited in the recent European Parliament Elections and District Elections.
Steiner Michael – you KNOW – the ongoing PRESSURIZATION just NOT on your ‘Demigod’ – Victor M. Orban – his Fidesz Government, but the national currency Forint, it will COLLAPSE – be POWERED over, as it’s WORTH – it’s inability to Debt Service the gargantuan building borrowings of the Orban – Fidesz Government.
Hungary, under Victor M. Orban has NO stability nor economic & financial processes to see our country be in a position under SUSTAINABILITY which factually gives cause to commentate – we are in a BOOMED place, that will WORSEN.
Steiner Michael, your PLAN – to SAVE – Hungary.
The rate you are DELAYING telling us – been waiting MONTHS – you and the wife, will be packed up moved to City number – what is 42 you have lived your life in.
‘Don’t thrown SHIT – if it ain’t going to STICK’ – as this is the idiotic theme style of communication you constantly use in your commentary’s – that are Factless, Baseless, without substance of Fact nor Truth.
Attlee’s advise to your ‘type’ – Steiner Michael ;
‘If you begin to consider yourself solely responsible to a Political Party, you’re half way to a Dictatorship.’
Hungary is 65% more to be precise.
When you write your paper on the ‘Saving – the Future of Hungary’ – be a bit of a ‘Mein Kmph’ one can but imagine, try to keep in mind, remembering that History never Lies – this FACT.
Communism producers neither dignity nor prosperity.
It takes ALL Power away from the people and places it in the hands of a ‘self appointed’ elite.
And because it Distorts and Manipulates the distinctive talents of individuals – rather than letting those talents Flourish, it prevents Progress and Prosperity.
Steiner Michael – you LOVE the ‘commies’ – it JUST ‘oozes’ out of you.
Hungarians are growing in number, to understanding, that in History – through History – lessons taught/learnt through History, the DANGERS of living under a TYANNICAL individual.
Victor M. Orban – if allowed the imminent RISKS contained in allowing – on-going – his ‘ PRESENSE’ – as Prime Minister of Hungary, the RAMIFICATIONS for our Future would be SERIOUSLY – Jeopardized.
When people object to Hungary’s veto, one thing to keep in mind, there will be time when other countries will use the same veto. All countries that criticized Hungary’s veto should lose the right to veto EU policies, policies that are detrimental to their citizens.
yes maria you are right, a country with 9 million neonazi sympathizers is right and the 400 million from EU are wrong.