Helsinki (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Finnish MEPs have bluntly condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s EU policies.
Finnish MEPs from across the political scope questioned by Yle called for tougher actions against Hungary, which is seen as a loose cannon. Maria Ohisalo and Sebastian Tynkkynen stated that Hungary’s right to vote in the European Council should be discontinued.
Should Hungary Lose Its Voting Rights in the EU Council?
“Hungary has revealed that it is not committed to [our] common values and rules of the game. This should be a good enough motivation for the member states to introduce Article 7 of the EU Treaty, which allows the removal of Hungary’s right to vote in the Council,” Ohisalo said.
According to Article 7, EU membership and participation in its actions depend on respect for fundamental importance and that serious and persistent breaches of them may be subject to sanctions. It states that membership rights, such as voting rights in the European Council, may be stopped “if a country seriously and persistently breaches the principles on which the EU is founded…[including] respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.
Should Hungarian Ministers Be Excluded from EU Committees?
Ohisalo admitted the decision by the EU Commission and several member states to boycott sessions hosted by the Hungarian Presidency. “Now we are discussing whether we will invite Hungarian ministers to testify before committees; I would personally rule them out,” stated Ohisalo.
In her view, in the longer term, the EU is required to reform its decision-making process and increase qualified majority judgments, so that one member state is not capable of “holding others hostage with its vote”. “Receiving EU funds should also be tied even more strongly to compliance with the rule of law and common values,” Ohisalo discussed.
What Are the Reactions to Orbán’s Visits to China and Russia?
Tynkkynen criticises Orbán’s visits to China and Russia. “Orbán’s abrupt visit to Putin at the start of Hungary’s EU presidency was reprehensible, and Orbán in no way represented the standard line of the other member states or the EU during his trip,” Tynkkynen stated.
In his opinion, Hungary’s hesitation in supporting Ukraine threatens the security of the whole of Europe.
“In the same way, Hungary played about at the expense of European security when it unjustifiably blocked the Nato membership of Finland and Sweden,” Tynkkynen reported.
How Are Hungary’s Actions Threatening EU Values?
Moreover, MEP and ex-finance minister Eero Heinäluoma (SDP) criticise Hungary’s efforts.
“Hungary’s current leadership is not dedicated to the common values and regulations of the Union. Orbán’s solo moves threaten the credibility of the Union’s foreign policy and the effects of the Union’s activities in the world,” he stated.
He insisted that other EU countries react strongly to Hungary’s undemocratic development and its self-serving activities within the EU. “These reactions should include denying Hungary the right to vote, halting its EU grants and reviewing Hungary’s status as part of the Schengen zone,” Heinäluoma stated.
“The issues of Hungary’s presidency are visible to all. Finland should submit the matter now and propose suspending its presidency.” Heinäluoma stated that he has proposed to the leadership of his own S&D Group that the EU Parliament should consider Hungary’s activities and clarify the Parliament’s standing on Hungary’s activities at its September plenary session.
