Hungary faces sanctions for ‘backsliding’ on democracy

BRUSSELS — European lawmakers voted Wednesday to initiate sanctions proceedings against the Hungarian government for what they said was backsliding on democracy, an extraordinary censure for a nation that was once a beacon of post-Communist transformation.

The measure, which required a two-thirds supermajority of the European Parliament to pass, declared there was a “clear risk of serious breach” of European values by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. It was the first step in a process that could ultimately strip Hungary of its voice in decision-making in the European Union.

The decision creates headwinds for Orban’s ambitious quest to remake the continent in his model of “illiberal democracy” — a bloc that would be closer to Russia, less open to migration, and less concerned about independent judiciaries, a free press and minority rights.

The vote on the proceedings, known as Article 7 after a provision in the EU treaties, was welcomed by Orban’s foes inside Hungary, who saw it as their final hope to preserve democratic values at home, and his critics across Europe.

“The alt-right in Europe is trying to undermine this European Union,” Guy Verhofstadt, a Belgian member of the European Parliament, said ahead of the final tally. “And it is, in fact, trying to take over European politics from within.”

Despite the vote’s symbolism, it is probably too late for Orban’s critics to succeed in blocking Hungary’s EU voting rights or win major concessions from him. Orban has teamed up with Poland, another EU country that has been slapped for ruleof-law problems, to protect each other against punitive measures targeting either nation that require the unanimous vote of all 28 EU countries.

The gravity of the measure was reflected in the supermajority necessary to pass it onward to EU for further study. It passed with 448 lawmakers in favor, 197 against.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the vote the “petty revenge of pro-immigration politicians” and said Hungary would fight it.

Orban on Tuesday castigated European lawmakers in a fiery speech at the parliamentary chambers in Strasbourg, France, saying, “Hungary is going to be condemned because the Hungarian people have decided that this country is not going to be a country of migrants.”

He said Europe had no right to interfere in the actions of a sovereign government.

“Hungary will not accede to this blackmailing. Hungary will protect its borders, stop illegal migration,” he said, “and if needed we will stand up to you.”

Orban, who has been elected four times and now presides over what is effectively a one-party state, has been a thorn in the side of EU leaders since he came back to office in 2010. He cracked down on media freedoms, rewrote laws to favor his center-right Fidesz party and has blasted Brussels for allowing a wave of more than 1 million migrants into Europe in 2015.

When Orban began consolidating power after his 2010 election victory, he was largely the only leader in the EU promoting what he calls his “illiberal” platform. Since then, far-right politicians have gained ground across the continent, including in Italy and in Sweden.

“Hungary is going to be condemned because the Hungarian people have decided that this country is not going to be a country of migrants.” —Prime Minister Viktor Orban

FREDERICK FLORIN/GETTY-AFP Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been elected four times and instituted his “illiberal democracy” in Hungary.