How should the EU deal with Orbán?
The EU's relations with Hungary are once again the subject of fierce debate after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left the room while the decision on opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova was made. While some media call for tougher measures against Orbán, others stress the need for EU reforms.
Take the spoiler to task
The EU leaders should make full use of their financial leverage, the Financial Times urges:
“Billions of euros have been blocked since 2021 over rule of law concerns. Hungary's premier was last week trying to use his posturing over Ukraine as leverage to unblock the frozen funds. He also knows eventual EU membership for Kyiv would shrink the funding pie for Hungary and other central European members. ... Orbán demonstrated his capacity to be a 'spoiler'. EU capitals should therefore double down on using the tools they have to curb misbehaviour by him.”
Modify procedures also at the official level
The EU should draw conclusions from Orbán's antics, Äripäev believes:
“Concerns about the sustainability of the European Union's current decision-making process are justified. We should not try to deny or end the debate, but use it to our advantage. The European Council's decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, which came about surprisingly quickly and easily, can serve as an example that the self-serving stubbornness of one member state - Hungary - need not be an obstacle to the EU's unanimous decision-making process. However it is also proof that it is time to adapt the procedures at the official level.”
No quick fix
Neatkarīgā argues for a sense of proportion:
“Of course it should be borne in mind that by exerting pressure on Hungary and looking for legal mechanisms to do this one could easily overshoot the mark. ... After all, such mechanisms could also be used one day against any EU member state, including us. So there are no quick and easy solutions. One should perhaps avoid jumping the gun, even if debates on reforming the EU governance model had already begun before Orbán's action. ... How long this debate will last is another matter, considering that the European Parliament elections are already due to take place in June 2024.”