On the proposal for a Council decision determining, pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union, the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded
A-10-2025-0231
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Tineke Strik
- Voted on · Adopted 415–193–28 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2018/0902R
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This resolution on Hungary under Article 7(1) TEU finds a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values, covering 12 areas from the functioning of the constitutional system to economic and social rights.¶¶ It condemns the Hungarian Government's deliberate efforts to undermine EU values, deplores the Council's inaction, and calls for recommendations, Article 7(2) procedures, and full use of EU tools including infringement procedures and fund conditionality.¶¶ It demands no EU funds be released while deficiencies persist, calls for protecting final beneficiaries and supporting civil society, and urges the Commission to investigate espionage allegations and media advertising practices.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs proposes a resolution determining a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of EU values, urging the Council to act and the Commission to use all tools.¶¶
Key points
- Reiterates concerns in 12 areas: constitutional and electoral system, judiciary, corruption, privacy, media freedom, academic freedom, religion, association, equal treatment, minorities, migrants, and economic and social rights.¶¶¶
- Believes the facts represent a systemic threat to all Article 2 TEU values and constitute a clear risk of a serious breach; condemns the Hungarian Government's deliberate efforts to undermine them.¶
- Deplores the Council's inability to make progress in Article 7(1) TEU hearings; urges hearings at least once per presidency, publication of minutes, and issuing recommendations to Hungary.¶
- Calls on the Commission and Member States to initiate Article 7(2) TEU to determine serious and persistent breaches, potentially suspending voting rights.¶
- Condemns the Kúria's Uniformity Complaint Panel reviewing CJEU judgments before application, calling it contrary to EU law and a systemic threat.¶
- Calls on the Commission to use all tools, including infringement procedures based on Article 2 TEU, expedited procedures, and interim measures.¶
- Calls for ensuring 2026 Hungarian elections are free and fair, with monitoring and attention to corruption and electoral integrity.¶
- Calls for immediate action under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation for other breaches, and for freezing funds until full implementation of relevant judgments.¶¶
- Insists that EU funding releases be assessed coherently, with no payments while deficiencies persist; calls for protecting final beneficiaries and supporting civil society.¶¶
- Condemns the amendment and transfer mechanism used to circumvent compliance; calls for vigilance against reprogramming frozen funds.¶¶
- Notes with concern Hungary's vetoes on security decisions and its stance towards Russia; expects the Commission to report on espionage investigations.¶¶
- Calls for restoring the National Judicial Council's functions, ensuring transparent case allocation, and addressing economic and social rights shortcomings.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Hungarian Government: faces calls to implement judgments, restore compliance, and may face suspension of voting rights.¶¶
- Hungarian citizens and civil society: would benefit from protected EU funding and support for independent media and NGOs.¶
- EU institutions (Council, Commission): urged to act decisively, initiate procedures, and ensure coherent application of tools.¶¶¶
- Hungarian judiciary and judges: affected by calls to restore judicial independence and end pressure.¶¶
- LGBTIQ+ persons in Hungary: affected by condemnation of Pride ban and discrimination, with calls for legal action.¶
Figures and deadlines
- Nine hearings held under Article 7(1) TEU procedure.¶
- 85% of EU citizens and 82% of Hungarian citizens support linking EU funds to rule of law.¶
- 76% of leading ECtHR judgments from last 10 years still awaiting implementation in Hungary.¶
- EUR 545 million transferred for STEP priorities, with EUR 395 million from blocked funds.¶
- EUR 163.3 million additional pre-financing and EUR 154 million one-off pre-financing for Hungary.
- Hungary ranks 79th out of 143 in World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025.¶
- State advertising accounts for over 30% of total advertising market; KESMA receives up to 75-80% of revenue from state advertising.¶
Legal basis: Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union¶