In a recent report, the European Parliament has also declared that Hungary is no longer a “full democracy” and the European Union (EU) has assured that it needs to do everything to bring it back into line with European values, said Thursday.
MEPs had also voted 433 in favour, 123 against to now describe that Hungary which is being ruled by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin — “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” in “serious breach” of EU democratic norms.
The vote had been largely symbolic and does not change the course of the European Union decision-making process which requires the unanimity of all 27 member states — including Hungary — to adopt major issues, such as sanctions on Russia.
With their vote, the European Union lawmakers had also roundly adopted a parliamentary report that said Hungary has also been backsliding on democratic and fundamental rights since 2018 through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”.
The report had also revealed that the lack of action by European Union institutions, including the commission which is tasked as “guardian” of the EU treaties enshrining democratic standards, had exacerbated the degradation.
While EU countries are treading a careful line around Hungary because of the need to win its assent on major decisions, diplomats privately are frustrated with Orban’s cosy relationship with the Kremlin and his blocking of further sanctions on Moscow.
In another report, the suspension of a visa deal with Moscow by the European Union (EU)’s foreign ministers would necessitate a more difficult process for Russian nationals to access the union.
While France and Germany have continued to oppose the idea, Ukraine and some other members had advocated for a total ban.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, more than a million Russian citizens have relocated to the EU. It is believed that several eastern EU nations bordering Russia may apply more restrictions.
Alexander Glushko, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, said the EU was ‘shooting itself in the foot’ and that the action would not go unretaliated.