Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

The EU institutions deem&nbsp;the transparency and quality of the Hungarian legislative system a source of concern.&nbsp;In several&nbsp;Rule of Law reports, the European Commission highlighted the worsening situation in the country. It was noted that, among other issues,&nbsp;the risks posed to media pluralism&nbsp;and the pressure faced by those civil society organisations critical of the government.

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have&nbsp;further deteriorated&nbsp;due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s&nbsp;activation of the Article 7 mechanism.

Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

Parliament underlined&nbsp;the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and&nbsp;values, and the principle of sincere cooperation.

Rule of law in Hungary

Recent developments in Hungary have led to a serious deterioration in the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights which is testing the EU’s ability to defend its founding values.

Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union provides a mechanism to enforce EU values. Under Article 7(1), the Council may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values by a Member State and is intended to prevent an actual breach by addressing specific recommendations to the Member State in question. This can be triggered by one third of Member States, by Parliament or by the Commission. The Council has to adopt a decision by a four-fifths majority after having received Parliament's consent which also requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast and an absolute majority of MEPs.

Rule of law in Hungary - 8th parliamentary term

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission Statement - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications

Vorschläge für Unionsakte

Irans beispielloser Angriff auf Israel und die Notwendigkeit einer Deeskalation und einer Reaktion der EU (Aussprache)

Wiederaufnahme der Sitzung

Feierliche Sitzung – 20. Jahrestag der EU-Erweiterung von 2004

Abstimmungsstunde

Genehmigung des Protokolls der vorangegangenen Sitzung

Der Angriff auf Klima und Natur: Versuche der extremen Rechten und der Konservativen, den Grünen Deal zu  zerschlagen und Investitionen in unsere Zukunft zu verhindern (Aussprache über ein aktuelles Thema)

Änderung der Richtlinie 2013/36/EU im Hinblick auf Aufsichtsbefugnisse, Sanktionen, Zweigstellen aus Drittländern sowie Umwelt-, Sozial- und Unternehmensführungsrisiken - Änderung der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 575/2013 im Hinblick auf Vorschriften für das Kreditrisiko, das Risiko einer Anpassung der Kreditbewertung, das operationelle Risiko, das Marktrisiko und die Eigenmitteluntergrenze (Output-Floor) (gemeinsame Aussprache – Bankenunion)

Sechste Richtlinie zur Bekämpfung der Geldwäsche - Verordnung zur Bekämpfung der Geldwäsche - Errichtung der Behörde zur Bekämpfung der Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung (gemeinsame Aussprache - Bekämpfung der Geldwäsche)

Das Untersuchungsrecht des Europäischen Parlaments (Aussprache)

Abstimmungsstunde (Fortsetzung)

Erklärung von La Hulpe über die Zukunft des sozialen Europas (Aussprache)

Gemeinsam eine nachhaltige Zukunft gestalten: wirtschaftliche, gesellschaftliche und territoriale Herausforderungen für ein wettbewerbsfähiges und inklusives Europa, das zusammenhält (Aussprache)

Jüngste Versuche, Diktaturen zu leugnen, und das Risiko einer Rückkehr Europas zum Totalitarismus (Aussprache)

Aserbaidschan, vor allem die Unterdrückung der Zivilgesellschaft und die Fälle von Dr. Qubad İbadoğlu und İlhamiz Quliyev

Die vorgeschlagene Aufhebung des Gesetzes, das Genitalverstümmelung bei Frauen verbietet, in Gambia

Die neue Sicherheitsverordnung in Hongkong und die Fälle von Andy Li und Joseph John

Das vom ghanaischen Parlament verabschiedete Anti-LGBTIQ-Gesetz mit Auswirkungen auf Menschenrechte, Meinungsfreiheit und demokratische Prinzipien (Aussprache)

Vorab übermittelte Fluggastdaten: Verbesserung und Erleichterung der Kontrollen an den Außengrenzen - Vorab übermittelte Fluggastdaten: Verhütung, Aufdeckung, Untersuchung und Verfolgung von terroristischen Straftaten und schwerer Kriminalität (gemeinsame Aussprache - Vorab übermittelte Fluggastdaten)

Erklärungen zur Abstimmung

Tagesordnung der nächsten Sitzung

Schluss der Sitzung

Plenary session

Press conference by Daniel FREUND, Thijs REUTEN, Moritz KÖRNER and Petri SARVAMAA on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU fund

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Thijs REUTEN, Sophie IN 'T VELD and Malin BJÖRK, shadow rapporteurs on the rule of law situation in Hungary

Press briefing by the PEGA Chair in Budapest, Hungary

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Bettina VOLLATH, Ramona STRUGARIU and Malin BJÖRK on the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

Schließung der Plenarversammlung der Konferenz

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary

autre langue

Die EU in der Welt

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary  (with Metadata)

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Migration

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Migration

Eröffnung durch die Ko-Vorsitzenden – Tagesordnung laut Vorschlag des Exekutivausschusses

Gesundheit

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary (with Metadata)

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur on the situation in Hungary

Vorstellung der nationalen Veranstaltungen

Ausführungen der eingeladenen Interessenträger

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary I : Opening, Agenda, Interactive presentations of National Events and stakeholders interventions

Migration - Vorstellung der Empfehlungen durch das europäische Bürgerforum 4 und entsprechende nationale Foren

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 5: Migration

Press conference by Petri SARVAMAA, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Katalin CSEH and Daniel FREUND  on the Rule of Law conditionality: EU Court ruling on the annulment request by Hungary and Poland

Gesundheit – Vorstellung der Empfehlungen durch das europäische Bürgerforum und entsprechende nationale Foren

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 4: Health - Presentation of the recommendations by the European and National Citizens' Panels followed by a debate

Eröffnung und Tagesordnung laut Vorschlag des Exekutivausschusses

Demokratie in Europa – Vorstellung der Empfehlungen durch das europäische Bürgerforum und entsprechende nationale Foren


Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 2: European Democracy - Presentation of the recommendations by the European and National Citizens' Panels followed by a debate

Europäische Bürgerforen – Präsentation der Ko-Vorsitzenden und der Vertreter der europäischen Bürgerforen und anschließende Aussprache

Änderung der Tagesordnung

Bericht der Vertreter der nationalen Foren und Veranstaltungen über die organisierten nationalen Foren und Veranstaltungen

Bericht über das Europäische Jugendevent

Mehrsprachige digitale Plattform – Präsentation der Ko-Vorsitzenden zu den Zwischenberichten und zum aktuellen Stand und anschließende Aussprache

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Bettina VOLLATH, Nicolas BAY, Malin BJÖRK on “Civil Liberties committee delegation to Hungary”

BUDG CONT - Exchange of views on the implementation of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the release of cohesion funds for Hungary under the Common Provisions Regulation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Katalin NOVAK, President of the Republic of Hungary

Press conference on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU funds?

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

Press conference - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

CONT delegation fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Press Conference .

CONT delegation  fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with Dr Tibor NAVRACSICS, Minister for Regional Development

CONT delegation  fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Opening statement by the Head of Delegation

PEGA Mission to Hungary

EP Press conference on the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION (CULT) - MISSION TO BUDAPEST [6781]

CULT Committee mission to Budapest, Hungary - Press conference....

CULT Committee mission to Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with János CSÁK, Hungarian Minister for culture and Innovation .

CULT Committee mission to Budapest

EP Plenary session - Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary

EP Plenary session - Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting - Views of Nicosia - Eleftheria Square (Cyprus), Copenhaguen - Confederation of Danish Industry (Denmark), Patras - Patra Rio Bridge (Greece), Zagreb - Fountains (Croatia), Budapest - House of Europe (Hungary), The Hague - Willemshof (Netherlands), Madrid - Ministerio Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), Sofia - National Gallery (Bulgary), Italy...

Europe day - European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illuminations across Europe

Balázs is a together.eu volunteer, politics student, and was born on 1 May 2004, from Szeged, Hungary. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Hungary

MEPs vote on the following topics: Amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor; Mechanisms to be put in place by the Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing and repealing Directive (EU) 2015/849; Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing; Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010, (EU) 1094/2010, (EU) 1095/2010; Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications; Simplification of certain CAP rules; Approval and market surveillance of non-road mobile machinery circulating on public; and other topics.

Voting session: Simplification of certain CAP rules; Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism; and Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budget

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participate in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new Member States, who are invited to attend the sitting. Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta

Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU.

Clip: Born European - 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission on the ongoing Article 7 hearings regarding the state of democracy in Hungary, with a focus on the implications for the EU budget. Closing statements by Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu Michel, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, in charge of Administrative Simplification, Privacy and the Belgian Buildings Agency.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission on the ongoing Article 7 hearings regarding the state of democracy in Hungary, with a focus on the implications for the EU budget. MEPs debate.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications: MEPs debate

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission on the ongoing Article 7 hearings regarding the state of democracy in Hungary, with a focus on the implications for the EU budget. Opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, in charge of Administrative Simplification, Privacy and the Belgian Buildings Agency and Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications: Opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

MEPs vote on the following non legilative resolutions: Revision of the European Labour Authority mandate, Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds, and on the Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation.

Voting Session - Part 2 (Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds, Humanitarian situation in Gaza)

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Katalin NOVÁK, President of Hungary, in the European Parliament. This news item shows extracts from the arrival of Katalin NOVÁK, welcome by Roberta METSOLA, handshake and photo family of two Presidents.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Katalin NOVÁK, President of Hungary

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. Closing statements by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs and Infrastructure.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: closing statements by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs and Infrastructure

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. MEPs debate part 2

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. Opening statements by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs and Infrastructure and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: opening statements by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs, Johannes HAHN, EU Commissioner for Budget and by Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. Extracts from the debate. The transcription is the result of an automatic process, please check against delivery.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: extracts from the debate

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (PPE, LU), Thijs REUTEN (S&D, NL), Sophie IN 'T VELD (RE, NL) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) hold a press on the situation in Hungary following the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the EU as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, as well as to address the issue of the "frozen" recovery funds. This transcript is the result of an automatic process. Please check delivery.

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, Rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Thijs REUTEN, Sophie IN 'T VELD, Malin BJÖRK on breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

During three days, the delegation looked into ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget and the rule of law conditionality mechanism in Hungary. Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Head of the delegation, Petri SARVAMAA, (EPP, FI), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE) conclude the fact-finding mission by a Press conference. The transcription is the results of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Head of the delegation, Petri SARVAMAA, (EPP, FI), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL) and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE) on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission

EP Budgetary Control committee (CONT) visit Budapest in order to look into the ongoing issues with the protection of EU budget. The Members of the Fact-finding mission meet with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice.

Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) to Budapest (Hungary): Meeting with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice

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Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.