EU Parliament Starts Process To Suspend Hungary's Voting Rights

In a move that reflects the European Union’s ongoing concerns over Rule-of-Law Standards, the European Parliament has moved to propose a Resolution aimed at stripping Hungary of its EU Council Voting Rights. Set for a Decisive Vote on Thursday, January 18th. This development comes after Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Vetoed a crucial Financial Aid package for Ukraine, potentially jeopardizing €50 billion in support for the War-torn Nation.

The main focus of the Resolution, is to start the Process outlined in Article 7.2 of the EU Treaty to remove Hungary’s Voting Rights. MEP Petri Sarvamaa has been Vocal about the Parliament’s position, emphasizing the Necessity of this Measure on Social Media.

The Resolution also seeks to start a Parliamentary Investigation into the European Commission’s Decision to release €10 billion in Funds for Hungary in December 2023, which has raised questions and concerns among EU Lawmakers.

Article 7.2 allows the Parliament, with a Two-Thirds Majority Approval, to Call on Hungary to answer before the European Council, on its Breaches of the Rule-of-Law. This could lead to the Suspension of Hungary’s Voting Rights. The Draft Agreement of the Resolution, also directs the Committee on Legal Affairs to take the necessary steps to Review the Legality of the Commission’s Decision before the Court of Justice.

“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. Because the Rule of Law does not work in Hungary, the European Parliament is now launching this lawsuit against the Commission,” Green MEP Daniel Freund said.

The European Parliament’s Resolution Draft, emphasizes the Committee on Legal Affairs’ Directive to review the Legality of the Commission’s Actions before the Court of Justice. This Legal scrutiny comes amidst Accusations that the Commission gave in to what has been labeled as Hungary’s “blackmail” to unlock the Ffunds, a Decision that has sparked Outrage among various Political groups within the Parliament.

The Resolution has received backing from most Political factions in the European Parliament, such as the Socialists (S&D), the Greens/EFA group, the Center-Right EPP, Liberal Renew, and The Left group. Together, these Factions seek to urge the Council to act on Hungary’s Voting Rights and tackle what they see as the Commission’s unjustified Disbursement of Funds.

The Parliament aims to warn the Commission before an EU Summit on February 2nd, and Stop the Executive from Releasing more Funds to Hungary, in return for Orbán’s backing of additional Financial Aid for Ukraine’s Defense efforts.

This week’s Vote outcome will be a Major Indicator of the EU’s Commitment to upholding the Rule-of-Law, and whether it will take tangible Steps to address Member States that deviate from these Principles.

As the EU grapples with External Challenges and Internal Divisions, the Decision to potentially Suspend Hungary’s Voting Rights, stands as a Pivotal moment in the Bloc’s History.









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