Politico: EU weighs options if Orban wins election

The European Union is increasingly open about how to deal with Hungary if Viktor Orban regains his mandate. Diplomatic sources say there is growing frustration with his actions, particularly after he blocked financial aid to Ukraine and amid allegations of contacts with Russia, Politico reports.

Among the options under discussion is extending qualified majority voting, which would limit the ability of individual countries to veto decisions in sensitive areas. At the same time, more flexible forms of cooperation are being considered – models in which groups of states would proceed without Hungary’s participation. Such an approach could speed up decision-making but also raises concerns about weakening the unity of the Union.

Another tool is financial pressure. The EU already makes access to funds conditional on respect for the rule of law and, according to available proposals, these mechanisms could be tightened further.

The activation of Article 7, which could lead to the suspension of voting rights, is also under consideration, although its approval remains politically difficult.

The most radical scenarios, such as Hungary’s expulsion from the EU, remain largely theoretical.

Overall, however, an Orban victory could accelerate the debate over how the Union should function when one of its members systematically blocks common decisions.

(pir)