EU weighs suspending Hungary’s voting rights for blocking EUR 50 billion aid to Ukraine - FT
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EU officials are considering suspending Hungary's voting rights after it blocked EUR 50 billion ($54.7 billion) in aid to Ukraine, Financial Times reported, citing unnamed European officials on Dec. 18.
Read also: Scholz optimistic EU will overcome Orban’s objections to €50 billion aid package for Ukraine
The officials point to Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union, under which a member state can be deprived of its voting rights in the event of a violation of the rule of law. Another state can block the decision, but "a change of government in Poland means Hungary no longer has a guaranteed protector," adds FT.
“Still, multiple countries are nervous about using what is essentially the EU’s biggest weapon against a member state."
The current priority is to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to change course according to officials. If his veto cannot be overcome this way, then the other 26 EU countries can agree on their own, although this will take time and will only be a short-term solution, according to FT.
Read also: How EU leaders countered Orbán's opposition to Ukraine
“Maybe Hungary can create more trouble,” said a third EU senior official, FT writes.
“Maybe Hungary can force us to use a few different tools. But ultimately Hungary cannot stop us from providing money to Ukraine.”
After the European Commission recommended to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Orbán has consistently threatened to disrupt the process.
The European Council has voted to open negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, while also granting Georgia EU candidate status, European Council President Charles Michel announced via Twitter on Dec. 14. This was despite fears that Hungary would block the issue.
Several media sources also reported that Orban abstained during the decision-making process, reportedly leaving the room when opening membership talks with Ukraine was discussed. Ahead of the summit, several leaders met with Orban.
Read also: Kuleba praises Scholz’s ‘trick’ with Orban during EU summit vote on Ukraine
Hungary vetoed the allocation of EUR 50 billion ($54.7 billion) to Ukraine. The issue will be considered again in January 2024.
Orbán wants the EU to pay all frozen funds to Budapest in exchange for lifting the veto. Before the summit, the European Commission had already unblocked over EUR 10 billion ($10.9 billion).
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