Following the debate on the “Situation in Hungary” on September 11, 2018, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side, his country could be deprived of its voting rights in the bloc. Indeed, this debate was a reminder of the EC’s role of “safeguarding [the] common [European] values”, which committee report had already underlined the non-compliance of Hungary with the EU law on July 4, 2018 stating “the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded” [1]. On the other side, Orbán’s own Fidesz party could turn its back on him, as the centre-right EPP parliamentary group, of which Fidesz is part, has given its members full permission to back the motion on the suspension of votings rights. In any case, today’s 12 o’clock vote in the bloc will be a landmark in the EU’s decision-making history. For Hungary, one thing is certain: alea jacta est.

Matthieu Mazerat

For further information:

[1] Parlement Européen :
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/summary.do?id=1544164&t=d&l=en
[2] La Libre :
http://www.lalibre.be/actu/international/viktor-orban-en-passe-de-perdre-le-soutien-de-sa-famille-politique-europeenne-5b97fa9bcd7076ce3b1f3ad2

Politico :
https://www.politico.eu/article/graphic-what-is-article-7-the-eus-nuclear-option/
Reuters :
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-hungary/hungarys-orban-vows-to-defy-eu-pressure-ahead-of-unprecedented-vote-idUSKCN1LR215`