Members of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee have expressed concern over what they describe as a worsening rule of law situation in Hungary. On Wednesday, the committee adopted its second interim report on the Article 7 procedure against Hungary, which was originally initiated by Parliament in 2018. The vote resulted in 51 members supporting the report, 21 opposing it, and two abstaining.
The report highlights ongoing threats to EU values and the legal order. It criticizes what it calls the Council’s lack of action, stating that this has allowed conditions in Hungary to deteriorate further. The committee asserts that Hungary has developed into a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” and renews its call for activating Article 7(2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which could lead to sanctions.
The MEPs refer to an opinion from Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta at the EU Court of Justice, who indicated that infringement proceedings are possible when breaches stem from fundamental value violations. The committee urges the European Commission to pursue such action if the Court upholds this interpretation.
Specific concerns outlined by MEPs include reviews of EU court judgments by Hungary’s supreme court (the Kúria), alleged links between corruption and electoral integrity, obstacles faced by Hungary’s Integrity Authority—which could affect all EU funds allocated to Hungary—and threats to judicial independence. Other points include challenges related to academic freedom, business practices influenced by political motives, allocation of state advertising favoring government-friendly outlets, restrictions on Pride marches, and systematic weakening of judicial oversight bodies.
The report also criticizes Hungary’s use of its veto power within the Council as leverage and questions whether loopholes exist that might let Hungary bypass conditionality rules tied to budgetary allocations. Additionally, it notes an ongoing investigation into allegations of Hungarian espionage within EU institutions.
Rapporteur Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, NL) stated: “The lack of decisive action by the Commission and the Council against Hungary has allowed a continuous erosion of democracy and the rule of law. The EU cannot allow Hungary’s autocratization to continue. Any further delay by the Council would violate the very values it claims to uphold.”
The next step will be a debate and vote on this report during Parliament’s plenary session scheduled for November 24–27 in Strasbourg.
