HUNGARY/ General affairs Council

EU countries still shy away from taking away Orbán's voting rights

Brussels, 27 May 2025 - At the European Council meeting on - among other topics - the Article 7 procedure, Member States failed to take any decisions. ‘Very disappointing and a danger to European values and our democracy,’ according to MEP Tineke STRIK, Greens/EFA MEP and European Parliament rapporteur on the situation in Hungary.

‘The recent ban on Pride and the proposed bill preventing foreign funding of critical NGOs and media are unacceptable. And these new developments are in addition to the already existing curbs on freedoms, including press freedom, control of the judiciary and endemic corruption. How much evidence does the Council need to conclude that Orbán has completely demolished the rule of law and is therefore a danger to Hungarian citizens?’

The Greens-EFA have been advocating for years that Orbán’s right to vote needs to be taken away through the Article 7 procedure. But now the Council also failed to decide on less far-reaching measures. ‘By not taking concrete steps now, the countries are leaving the Hungarians out in the cold. Only by finally losing his right to vote will Orbán realise that the EU will not let his autocratic rule go unpunished.’ Strik says.

Earlier today, 20 EU countries, including the Netherlands, already took action against Orbán. They signed a declaration against the sharply criticised anti-LHBTIQ+ law, including the ban on Pride. ‘It is hopeful that there is some movement after all, and that so many EU countries are urging the Commission to act. But unfortunately, we are not there yet,’ Strik concludes.