Hungary’s prime minister will be entering his fourth term.
(Photo: IMAGO/Xinhua)
Viktor Orban speaks of a “huge victory” – and one thing is extremely important to him in his celebration of his re-election: “You can definitely see him from Brussels.” faire does not do justice to the values of the European Union. Democracy, freedom of information and the rule of law are being eroded in Hungary – and that is also weakening the EU as a whole in the long term.
This has also applied to Hungary’s foreign policy since the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the latest: Orban’s uncritical attitude towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, his insistence that arms should not even be delivered to Ukraine via Hungarian state territory, weakens the EU and its claim to be a value-driven one foreign policy.
It is therefore high time that the EU put hardliner Orban in his place. That it will not further strengthen his autocratic system and that the community of 27 countries will not allow itself to be blocked. The best way is to replace the principle of unanimity, which applies in the Council of Heads of State and Government for sensitive areas such as finance or foreign and security policy, with a qualified majority. Otherwise blockers like Hungary set the pace.
In the short term, the EU Commission must finally start proceedings under the rule of law mechanism, which has been possible for more than a year. For example, it can officially withhold funds from the EU budget for Hungary if their correct use is in question due to deficiencies in the rule of law.
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The EU has strengthened Orban’s system for years
With its funding billions, the EU has helped to make the Orban system big and has tolerated non-transparent awarding of contracts to Orban confidants. That has to end now. When dealing with states like Russia and China is being reconsidered, this is also the time to critically reconsider dealing with the autocratic states in our own ranks.
> Also read: Hungary’s controversial head of government clearly won the election
The EU reconstruction fund, which has so far not distributed any funds to Hungary, is another steering instrument. Unfortunately, the EU is currently only left with control over money. Because the previous infringement procedures and procedures for the protection of EU fundamental values under Article 7 have remained ineffective. Above all, because Hungary and Poland have backed each other and blocked sanctions, for which a unanimous decision by all other states is necessary.
But given the major differences in Russia policy, the close alliance between Budapest and Warsaw is no longer as natural as it was a short time ago. Hungary is partially isolated in the EU.
The timing of a clear stance against Orban is also so important because the Ukraine debate is giving new impetus to the eastward expansion of the EU. So it would also be a message to a country like Serbia. Its President Aleksandar Vucic, who has also just been re-elected, is accused of suppressing political opponents. Serbia refuses to join EU sanctions against Russia. The message must be: either you share the EU’s basic values - or there will be no admission to the federation of states and the lucrative internal market.
More: In Serbia, Vladimir Putin is massively inflaming Europe