[This is an opinionated article by Gabrielius Landsbergis, former minister of foreign affairs of Lithuania.]
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Hungary blocks more than half of the EU’s foreign policy decisions. It continues to obstruct the European Peace Facility, a fund designed to support Ukraine’s defense. Whatever is proposed, EU diplomats have learned to brace themselves for a Hungarian veto.
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The principle of unity that underpinned the European project has been twisted and weaponized. In today’s world, this means paralysis in the face of rapidly unfolding geopolitical and technological developments.
History offers a chilling parallel. In the eighteenth century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, once a major European power, was crippled by the liberum veto—a system that allowed any single noble to block all parliamentary decisions. This eventually led to legislative paralysis.
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Recently the geopolitical stakes rose even higher. It is not inconceivable that Hungary would, for example, block retaliatory tariffs against the United States, or disagree with increasing common borrowing for defense if the United States begins to withdraw. Also, the need to regularly renew sanctions against Russia gives Hungary, or any other wannabe disruptor, a very effective way to twist the European Commission’s arm.
Thankfully, the EU is not powerless to stop all this. The Treaty on European Union’s includes Article 7 is, a mechanism designed for this very situation—a member state systematically ignoring European values. The process is complex, but it exists.
Under Article 7(1), proceedings can be initiated if there is a “clear risk” of a serious breach of European values. This must be confirmed by a majority vote in the European Parliament. If the risk is confirmed, Article 7(2) allows for the European Council to find the accused member in breach. If that happens, Article 7(3) enables the imposition of sanctions, including the suspension of voting rights.
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It would set a somewhat dangerous precedent, but the alternative is war on EU soil. Brussels should absolutely invoke article 7 on Hungary.
It would be nice to have someone whose not a “former” to say something important
I fully agree. To be fair -and what was a major reason why I decided to post this here- is that Landsbergis criticized Orban and demanded similar actions already during his term as minister.
Former MEP Sophie in 't Veld published another opinionated piece in ‘The Moscow Times’ that is somewhat related:
History Will Judge Europe If It Doesn’t Stand Up to Putin – [Archived]
… For decades, Europe comfortably and lazily bobbed along with the U.S., developing its internal market while the Americans ensured our security. The past three years have been a rude awakening — yet many European leaders still prefer to pull the pillow over their heads and pretend business as usual will suffice.
But Europe’s security is directly tied to Ukraine’s survival. If Ukraine falls, Putin will be emboldened to aim for new targets. Even if the war ends with a deal in which Ukraine’s sovereignty is preserved, Putin will undoubtedly use the time to regroup and prepare for the next attack. Analyses by various intelligence services in Europe have warned that he is already eyeing targets within the EU. These warnings must be taken very seriously. We should learn the lessons of 2014 and 2022 and act accordingly …
It’s our protecting democracy when we remove people that we don’t agree with.
It would probably be the end of the union at that point. Really Orwellian to boot.
I’ll guess you don’t know shit about Orbán then
Veto rights for minorities are often a good idea in a democracy, but removing them when they are abused is not a threat to democracy or the union itself.
