European Parliament Calls for Sanctions Against Hungary, Seeks Revocation of EU Voting Rights

The European Parliament has announced plans to urge EU leaders to revoke Hungary’s voting rights within the Union, citing systematic violations of EU fundamental values by the government in Budapest. This development emerged from preliminary discussions held in Strasbourg on March 4, 2025, where members of parliament began preparing a resolution to invoke Article 7 of the EU Treaty.

The initiative is rooted in long-standing concerns regarding Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s administration, which has faced criticism for actions perceived as undermining democratic principles. These include restrictions on press freedom, interference in judicial independence, and support for anti-democratic measures that threaten the rule of law.

As reported by Politico, the resolution is slated for discussion at the upcoming European Parliament session, where a majority of deputies are expected to back the call for sanctions against Hungary. This move continues a conflict that originated in 2018 when Brussels first initiated Article 7 proceedings against Budapest for “serious and persistent violations” of EU values.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban has been accused of obstructing EU decisions, such as those related to financing Ukraine, which has led to frustration among other member states. Last year, the European Parliament similarly pushed for sanctions, but consensus in the EU Council was not achieved due to opposition from several nations, including Poland.

The potential loss of voting rights would represent an unprecedented action for Hungary, significantly diminishing its influence within the EU. Orban has characterized such initiatives as “an attack on sovereignty,” asserting that Hungary is defending traditional values rather than breaching European norms. Meanwhile, Hungary is facing the prospect of freezing 20 billion euros in EU funds due to ongoing rule of law violations, further intensifying pressure from Brussels.

Experts note that revoking Hungary’s voting rights would require unanimous approval from the EU Council, a scenario viewed as unlikely given Hungary’s strong opposition and support from allied nations like Slovakia.