Brussels: EU affairs ministers convened in Brussels to deliberate on the state of democracy and rule of law in Hungary, amid increasing discussions to potentially revoke Budapest's EU voting rights.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sweden's Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz expressed deep concerns at the EU General Affairs Council meeting, highlighting a crackdown on civil society in Hungary. She urged the European Commission to fully utilize the EU's rule of law toolbox, emphasizing the necessity for Hungary to adopt a new approach.

Denmark's European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre supported the call for stronger actions, stating the readiness to employ all necessary tools to address the situation in Hungary. Bjerre pointed out a decline in fundamental values and rights, which she emphasized are foundational to the EU.

European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath confirmed the Commission's serious concerns regarding Hungary's current trajectory. McGrath shared insights from his visit to Budapest in March, where he received troubling reports from civil society and media organizations about their increasingly restricted operational space.

McGrath also noted that approximately £18 billion ($20 billion) from Hungary's recovery and resilience facility remains inaccessible due to rule of law violations. The Article 7 process against Hungary, initiated in 2018 following the European Parliament's call for action over rule of law breaches, is still in its initial phase, with EU ministers conducting their eighth hearing. Advancement to the second phase could lead to sanctions, including suspending Hungary's voting rights, though such measures require unanimous member state approval, excluding Hungary itself.

Hungary has criticized the process as a political assault and called for reforms to the EU sanctions framework. A similar Article 7 procedure against Poland was previously dropped after the Polish government reversed controversial justice reforms.