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)

MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: A new European competitiveness deal; Boosting European defence policy; A consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; Stemming illegal migration; Shaping the future of cohesion policy; A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; Addressing demographic challenges.


During the 2019-2024 legislative period, Parliament repeatedly denounced the Hungarian government’s deliberate and systematic efforts to undermine EU values and the threat it poses for EU institutions and funds. MEPs have expressed serious concerns about the Orbán government’s ability to credibly fulfil its role leading the Council. According to Parliament, the situation has worsened since the activation of the Article 7(1) procedure - to the point that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

Informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Budapest, Hungary

Meeting of the European Political Community in Budapest, Hungary

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

Plenary session in Strasbourg from  the 7th of October to the 10th.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister

Roberta Metsola, EP President at the European Council Meeting

EP Press conference. Briefing before the EU Summit. Press conference by Jozsef SZAJER, EPP Vice-Chair, Viktor ORBAN, Prime Minister of Hungary, Gergely GULYAS, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office and Bertalan HAVASI

Informal Summit of Heads of State or Government in Salzburg, Austria - EPP Statutory Summit

EP Press conference following the plenary debate on the Situation in Hungary

EP Plenary session - The situation in Hungary

Debate on the situation in Hungary with the  Prime Minister of Hungary

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.The Leaders of Europe pose for the family picture

Press conference on the situation in Hungary

Martin SCHULZ - EP President meets with Viktor ORBAN - Prime Minister of Hunagry

Martin SCHULZ - EP President meets with Viktor ORBAN - Prime Minister of Hungary

Press Conference of Viktor ORBAN, Prime Minister of Hungary

Martin SCHULZ - EP President, Viktor ORBAN - Prime Minister of Hungary

EP President welcomes PM of Hungary

European Parliament's plenary debate on Hungary with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Hungary in plenary session during his visit to the EP in Strasbourg.

Martin SCHULZ - EP President, Viktor ORBAN

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the Conference of Speakers of the European Union in the Hungarian National Assembly in Budapest. The Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments (hereinafter referred to as the Conference of Speakers) is the highest forum for interparliamentary cooperation in the European Union, with the main task of defining the framework and strategic objectives of parliamentary cooperation. EP President takes the floor in the session on the future of the European Union as keynote speaker.

Participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President in the Conference of Speakers of the European Union in Budapest (Hungary): extracts

This news item shows the extracts of the debate between MEPs, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor ORBÁN, and the European Commission President Ursula VON DER LEYEN on the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: extracts from the debate

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. Answer by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: answer by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. Opening statements by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister and by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: opening statements by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister and by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. Ambiance shots and opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: ambiance shots and opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Arrival of Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister, and welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister: arrival and welcome

This Infoclip illustrates the Rule of law in Hungary: general views of Budapest, newspapers, television channels headquarters, various institutional buildings (Hungarian Parliament, Supreme Court, Budapest-Capital Regional Court, Fidesz Headquarter, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Carmelite Monastery - Prime Minister office, Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister).

Infoclip: Rule of law - Hungary

József SZÁJER (EPP, HU), EPP Vice-Chair, Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, and Gergely GULYÁS, Hungarian Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, speak to the press following the EPP Political Assembly, in Brussels.

Press conference by József SZÁJER (EPP, HU), EPP Vice-Chair, Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, and Gergely GULYÁS, Hungarian Minister of the Prime Minister's Office

József SZÁJER (EPP, HU) EPP Vice-Chair and Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, speak to the press following the EPP Political Assembly in Brussels. FIDEZ has been suspended from EPP with immediate effect and until further notice following today’s vote of EPP members (190 in favour, 3 against). The suspension entails: No attendance at any party meeting, no voting rights, no right to propose candidates for posts.

Press conference by József SZÁJER (EPP, HU), EPP Vice-Chair, and Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister: extracts

At Stanhope Hotel in Brussels, EPP leaders meet ahead the European Council 18-19/10/2018. Statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Leo VARADKAR, Irish Prime Minister and David McALLISTER (EPP, DE). Arrivals of Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Jyrki KATAINEN, Member of the EC, Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister, Leo VARADKAR, Irish Taoiseach, Pablo CASADO, Spanish EPP Party, Laurent WAUQUIEZ, French EPP Party, Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC, and Angela MERKEL, German Chancellor.

EPP leaders meet ahead the European Council: arrivals and statements

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, meets with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, ahead of Plenary debate on the rule of law in Hungary. Arrival and welcome by Antonio TAJANI, EP President.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, meets with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister: arrival and handshake

Kinga GÁL (EPP, HU), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, and Tamás DEUTSCH (EPP, HU), speak to the press following the debate on the Situation in Hungary, during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Kinga GÁL (EPP, HU), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, and Tamás DEUTSCH (EPP, HU) following the debate on the Situation in Hungary

During the plenary session of the European Parliament (10-13/09/2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate the rule of law in Hungary with Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister, before deciding whether the EU must act to counter the risk of a serious breach of EU values. If backed by MEPs, this would be the first time that Parliament takes the initiative of recommending that Article 7 be activated. Opening speeches by Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), Ingeborg GRÄSSLE (EPP, DE), Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA RUIZ (ALDE, ES), Maria NOICHL (S&D, DE), Karoline EDSTADLER, Austrian State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior, Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and Viktor ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister.

Situation in Hungary: extracts from the opening speeches

Live replay of the Debate on the situation in Hungary: Answers by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister

Debate on the situation in Hungary: Answers by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister (17:35 - 17:38)

Live replay of the Debate on the situation in Hungary: Statement by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister.  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Debate on the situation in Hungary: Statement by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister (15:31 - 15:39)

Ahead of the European Council in Brussels, EPP leaders meet at the Académie Royale de Belgique. Arrivals of Donald TUSK, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Antonio TAJANI, Michel BARNIER, Joseph DAUL, Manfred WEBER, Nicos ANASTASIADES, Boyko BORISSOV, Sebastian Kurz, Angela MERKEL, Viktor ORBÁN, Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Leo VARADKAR, Erna SOLBERG, Arvils ASERADENS, Petteri ORPO, Kris PEETERS,Søren PAPE POULSEN and Manfred WEBER. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE) and Antonio TAJANI, EP President.

EPP leaders meet ahead of the European Council: arrivals and statements

EPP leaders meet ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia. Arrival of Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Johannes HAHN, Donald TUSK, Viktor ORBÁN, Silvio BERLUSCONI, Leo VARADKAR, and statement by Antonio TAJANI.

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