MEPS vote to punish Hungary for breaches

MEPS have voted overwhelmingly for action against the Hungarian government for undermining the bloc’s democratic values and rule of law.

The EU lawmakers voted 448-197 in favour of a report recommending the launch of a so-called Article 7 procedure, which could lead to the suspension of Hungary’s EU voting rights.

Some members of the European People’s Party bloc – which Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz movement belongs to – voted against their ally in Budapest.

Mr Orban has for years faced international condemnation over Hungary’s electoral system, media freedoms, independence of the judiciary, mistreatment of asylum seekers and refugees, and limits on the functioning of non-governmental organisations.