Hungary’s Orbán may lose voting rights, says Belgian minister
Belgium holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union until 30 June. During this time, the country’s foreign minister, Hadja Lahbib, has made strong statements regarding Hungary and its ongoing issues with reforms. According to Lahbib, Hungary’s failure to implement necessary reforms has led to Brussels continuing its Article 7 procedure against the country. This procedure, if completed, could result in Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán losing his voting rights within the EU Council.
In a report by World Economy, Lahbib highlighted that despite discussing the Article 7 procedure against Hungary for the seventh time, ongoing concerns still exist regarding the rule of law, minority rights, and the independence of the judiciary system in Hungary. She pointed to Poland as an example of how such procedures can be swiftly resolved.
Vera Jourová, the EU’s commissioner for values and transparency, emphasized that the Article 7 procedure is monitoring various aspects in Hungary, including media and academic freedom, freedom of association, and the governance decisions made by the Orbán administration through decrees.
The potential outcome of the Article 7 procedure against Hungary could lead to Orbán losing his voting rights within the EU Council, setting a precedent within the European Union. This news has caught the attention of many, with discussions ongoing within EU circles.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Minister János Boka has raised concerns about the use of Article 7 as a tool for political pressure by the European Union. He expressed hope that following the recent EU elections, discussions on the rule of law would become more objective and constructive. Boka emphasized the need for a more balanced approach going forward, as Hungary assumes the EU presidency and leads discussions on key policy areas for the future.
As the debates continue, the fate of Hungary within the European Union hangs in the balance, with the outcome of the Article 7 procedure likely to have significant implications for the country’s relationship with the EU. Stay tuned for further developments on this important issue.
