They want to deprive Hungary of its vote in the EU Council

The European Parliament is collecting signatures to deprive Hungary of its vote in the Council EU. The petition was launched by center-right Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa.

MEP reported on Twitter (X) that he initiated a petition to deprive Hungary of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in accordance with Article 7 of the EU Treaty and emphasized that Hungary has never been subject to a violation of the procedures under Article 7(2).

The article provides for the possibility of suspending certain rights, including a vote in the EU Council, in relation to a state that has repeatedly violated the values ​​of the European Union – respect for freedom and democracy, human dignity, equality and the rule of law. Edition “European Truth” quotes:

“The EU’s decision-making machinery is simply stuck because of Viktor Orbán. The only way to make it work is to strip Orbán of his vote in the Council.”

The text of the petition notes that Hungary has been repeatedly criticized for undermining the rule of law:

“And following Hungary’s actions to disrupt the decision-making process of EU member states at the December European Council meeting, we believe it is time for the European Parliament to take action.”

The collection of signatures for the petition will continue until Friday, which will then be handed over to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsoli. This document appeared after Charles Michel stated that will leave his post early President of the European Council to run for the European Parliament. This could strengthen Viktor Orban’s role in the EU: he will temporarily preside over the European Council if the EU leaders do not find a replacement for Michel in a timely manner.

However, diplomatic sources of the EUobserver portal believe that such an initiative will not find support in the Council of the European Union. One of them claims that the decision could undermine “the entire structure of the rotating presidency of the EU.” The second agrees: “The influence of the presidency on EU policy should not be overestimated. They (Hungary) cannot do whatever they want, larger member states will push them aside if they behave badly.”

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