EU Discusses Changes to Voting System if Orbán Wins Again in Hungarian Elections
According to information from Politico, the European Union is discussing possible changes to its voting system if current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains power following the parliamentary elections in Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Photo: AP
Such ideas arose because Hungary has repeatedly blocked or delayed decision-making in the EU. In particular, recently it blocked the introduction of a new package of sanctions against Russia and the allocation of financial aid to Ukraine.
Among the proposed options for the new system are:
- expanding qualified majority voting, which does not require unanimity;
- creating "coalitions of the willing," where a group of countries can act separately;
- limiting or stopping funding for countries that violate common rules;
- in extreme cases — depriving a country of its voting rights.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, emphasized that no one should blackmail EU institutions. In turn, European Commission spokesperson Michael McGrath noted that access to funding depends on adherence to the principles of the rule of law.
Previously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also allowed for the use of more flexible cooperation formats to circumvent the unanimity requirement.
However, the question of Hungary's exclusion from the EU is not being seriously considered.
Parliamentary elections in the country are scheduled for April 12; according to sociological surveys, the ruling Fidesz party is currently trailing the opposition Tisza party.