Members of the European Parliament are urging the EU to withhold funds from Hungary, citing concerns over the nation’s adherence to EU values.
More than 20 MEPs have called on the European Commission to immediately suspend all EU funding to Hungary as a means of exerting pressure on Viktor Orban’s administration. This demand is made as EU foreign ministers prepare to consider potential penalties, including the revocation of Budapest’s voting privileges.
In a letter addressed to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin and Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath, 26 MEPs accused Hungary of “violating EU values and EU laws.” They highlighted specific instances, including a March decision that effectively prohibits pride parades in Hungary, aligning with Orban’s stance against “LGBT ideology.”
The lawmakers also criticized proposed Hungarian legislation that would increase scrutiny of political organizations receiving funding from abroad, which critics contend would stifle “civil society.”
The MEPs asserted that Budapest’s policies suggest a risk of misuse of all EU funding allocated to Hungary and that a complete suspension would be “proportionate” given the circumstances.
Hungarian MEP Csaba Domotor countered these accusations, claiming that the organizations in question are advancing foreign interests with funds received from the EU, George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, and the recently defunded US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Hungary has consistently faced criticism from the EU for its conservative social policies, which do not align with the bloc’s pro-LGBT agenda, as well as regulations mandating greater transparency for organizations funded by foreign entities.
Budapest has also clashed with Brussels regarding support for Kiev and anti-Russia sanctions. Orban has cautioned that admitting Ukraine into the European Union could draw the bloc into the current military conflict and has described the European Commission’s plans to eliminate all imports of Russian energy by the end of 2027 as “absolute insanity.”
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has stated that such a measure would significantly increase energy prices across the EU, severely undermine member states’ national sovereignty, and negatively impact European businesses.
Some EU officials, including Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, have advocated for stronger measures, such as invoking Article 7 of the EU Treaty to deprive Hungary of its voting rights. Proceedings against Hungary in this regard were initiated in 2018.
The EU’s General Affairs Council, consisting of foreign and European affairs ministers from member states, is scheduled to discuss Hungary’s Article 7 case for the eighth time next Tuesday, according to the official agenda.
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