The EU is almost ready to punish Hungary. Not because of Ukraine, but because of LGBT

27 May 2025 11:36

Sixteen EU countries, including France and Germany, are calling on the European Commission to take tough measures against Hungary over its Prime Minister Viktor Orban ‘s decision to ban Pride celebrations in Budapest. The joint statement, coordinated by the Netherlands, is another step in the growing conflict between Brussels and the Hungarian government, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Politico.

In a statement signed by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, France, Germany and Sweden, the countries expressed “deep concern” over Budapest’s actions. France and Germany joining this initiative is particularly important, as the support of these key EU members is needed for any serious sanctions.

Hungarian laws provide for fines for organizers and participants of LGBT events under the pretext of protecting children. The signatories to the statement consider Hungary’s actions to be a violation of the EU’s core values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which relate to human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights.

“Temporary measures” and “Nuclear option”

The document does not specify what measures Brussels should take, but the most obvious option is to introduce “interim measures” – in fact, EU injunctions against the government to prevent harm. In this case, Budapest would be ordered to allow Pride celebrations to take place.

Brussels has already frozen 18 billion euros in aid to Hungary over violations of the rule of law, but has so far avoided further enforcement action. European Commissioner for Equality Hadia Lahbib recently rejected the idea of applying temporary measures, saying that there was no support from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Diplomats are now talking about the possibility of using the “nuclear option” – depriving Budapest of its voting rights in the European Council under Article 7. This procedure requires a complex two-step voting process. First, four-fifths of the member states must vote that Budapest has violated an EU treaty, and then 26 countries (all EU members except the one that is subject to sanctions) must vote to deprive it of its voting rights.

Currently, at least 19 countries support the initiation of the Article 7 procedure, which is only three votes short of the threshold required to pass the first stage. However, the second stage will be much more difficult, as it will require almost unanimous support. The position of Paris and Berlin remains key, without which it is impossible to achieve the required majority.

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Blocking aid to Ukraine

Frustration with Hungary is growing not only because of the LGBT issue, but also because of the systematic blocking of aid to Ukraine. One European official explained:

“Disappointment with Hungary is growing on a large scale. If there is an existential threat at our borders, how much longer are we going to tolerate this?”

This position reflects the general mood in European capitals, but it is symptomatic that European bureaucrats are losing patience with the LGBT issue, not Ukraine.

Who will call Fico?

Swedish Minister for European Affairs Jessica Rosenkrantz warned before the EU’s General Affairs Council meeting that European politicians are running out of patience:

“After seven years and seven hearings, we are at a crossroads. If we don’t see a radically new approach from Hungary tomorrow, I don’t see any point in continuing these hearings. It is time to think seriously about the next steps.”

If, however, European officials are really ready for the next steps, they will probably have to go with the “nuclear option” – depriving Hungary of its right to vote in the European Council. And then, at the very end, when they need all the votes of the 26 member states, they will face the “final boss.” It will be Hungary’s and Russia’s ally, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.