European Parliament vote to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary

In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Orban’s government is accused of silencing independent media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.

There were 448 votes in favour of triggering Article 7, with 197 votes against and 48 abstentions.

DW

Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.

MEPs voted in favor of triggering the Article 7 sanctions procedures against Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, which could lead to Hungary losing its EU voting rights.

What the vote means: The measure does not immediately penalize Hungary, but it opens the door for sanctions to be imposed. Wednesday’s vote also means that a formal warning will be sent to Hungary for violating the EU’s values.

EU-Hungary tensions: Speaking at the EU Parliament on Tuesday, Orban described the vote as an act of revenge against Hungary for refusing to take in refugees under an EU-wide resettlement quota scheme. Although Brussels and Budapest have repeatedly clashed over immigration and refugee policy, the vote on Wednesday addressed broader concerns with the state of democracy and rule of law in Hungary.

A report by MEP Judith Sargentini, which triggered the Article 7 vote, found that Orban’s attacks on independent media, academics, the judiciary, migrants and refugees and the rights of minorities pose a “systemic threat” to the EU’s fundamental principles.