Hungary’s EU Veto under threat: Germany’s secret plan to weaken Hungary’s influence in the EU!
Relations between the European Union and Hungary have become increasingly strained in recent years. The EU has regularly criticised the Hungarian government for weakening the rule of law, press freedom, and the independence of the judiciary, while the Hungarian government has consistently challenged the legitimacy of EU measures. Now, however, Germany’s new government is calling for stronger action against Hungary than before and is planning to use instruments that could have significant consequences for the country.
According to documents leaked during the German coalition talks between Friedrich Merz’s CDU and the SPD, Berlin is pushing for a tougher EU sanctions policy, which could include withholding EU funds from Hungary and even restricting its voting rights. It is proposed that the EU should take swifter and more consistent action against countries that regularly violate EU principles.
The German plan for Hungary
According to Politico, one of the central themes of the German government formation talks was making EU rule of law procedures more effective. Although Hungary is not mentioned by name in the document, the wording clearly refers to the country that has been the subject of so-called Article 7 proceedings since 2018.
The German coalition (Friedrich Merz’s conservatives and the SPD) argues that the EU has been too lenient with Hungary in recent years, and as a result, Budapest continues to defy EU standards. The German leadership wants the EU to finally use its tools more effectively to put pressure on governments that do not respect European values.
One of the most important tools the German government is advocating is the withholding of EU financial support. The European Commission has already suspended around €22 billion in EU funds for Hungary until 2022 over concerns about the rule of law and corruption. More than €10 billion of this amount was later released, sparking a heated debate in Brussels. The German coalition’s draft agreement argues that such sanctions should be applied more consistently and that Hungary should only be allowed to access EU funds if it meets the conditions set by the EU.
What about Hungary’s veto rights?
Another priority of the German coalition government is to reduce the ability of member states that regularly block EU decisions. Hungary has exercised its veto right several times in recent years, particularly on sanctions against Russia, which has caused considerable tension in the EU.
Germany plans to introduce qualified majority voting in the EU’s foreign and security policy, which would prevent any single country, such as Hungary, from blocking EU measures on its own. If this change is implemented, the Hungarian government would lose the ability to unilaterally block EU common decisions, such as sanctions against Russia.
The possible suspension of the Hungarian government’s voting rights in the Council is another controversial issue. The EU’s founding treaty provides for the possibility that if a member state persistently and seriously violates EU principles, it could lose its voting rights in the EU Council. Although this procedure, known as Article 7, has not yet been fully enforced, the German draft coalition agreement suggests that the EU should make more effective use of this option.
If Hungary’s voting rights were indeed suspended, it would mean that Orbán and the Hungarian government would not have a say in key EU decisions, severely limiting their political room for manoeuvre. This would clearly be one of the most severe sanctions the EU could impose on a member state.
Hungary’s future in the EU
The new strategy of the German government focuses not only on Hungary but also on the EU as a whole, as Berlin aims to play a more active role in European politics. Germany plans to build on Franco-German-Polish cooperation to strengthen its influence and aspires to become a key shaper of EU policy.
This turn of events could have serious consequences for Hungary. The Hungarian government has so far successfully manoeuvred its way around EU institutions and, on several occasions, has been able to block or delay decisions that were unfavourable to it. However, if the German proposals are implemented, Hungary’s influence in EU decision-making could be significantly reduced.
The coming months will be crucial for the Hungarian government. If Berlin truly succeeds in persuading the EU to impose tougher measures, Hungary will be forced to make serious decisions regarding its future within the Union.
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