More and more Member States in the EU would sanction Hungary
A significant shift is emerging within the European Union as an increasing number of member states advocate for sanctions against Hungary due to its repeated breaches of EU values. The country has been under scrutiny since 2018, when Article 7 proceedings were launched to address concerns over judicial independence, corruption, and minority rights. While progress has been slow, recent developments suggest a growing willingness among EU nations to take decisive action.
Poland, currently holding the EU Council presidency, announced plans for a hearing on 27 May regarding Hungary’s compliance with European values, Index reports. Reports indicate that 19 member states now support moving forward with the Article 7 process, which could lead to sanctions such as suspending Hungary’s voting rights in the Council. However, achieving the required four-fifths majority remains uncertain, and unanimous approval for penalties would be even more challenging given opposition from certain leaders.
Hungary’s controversial policies have intensified tensions within the bloc. Its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been widely condemned as a violation of European Union law and a betrayal of international justice principles. Critics argue that this move further isolates Hungary and undermines accountability mechanisms central to the EU’s legal framework.
Additionally, Hungary’s repeated veto threats over sanctions against Russia have frustrated other member states.
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