Brussels weighs curbs on veto power if Orban wins

According to Politico, the European Union is discussing contingency measures in the event that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wins the April elections and secures another term. Diplomats say several options are being considered to limit the ability of individual leaders to block decision-making.

One proposal is to extend qualified majority voting to areas that currently require unanimity, such as foreign policy and the EU budget. Informal procedures have also been used in the past – for example, when Orban left the room during negotiations, allowing a decision to be taken.

There is also discussion of a so-called multi-speed Europe, involving closer co-operation among smaller groups of states or coalitions of the willing. Stricter enforcement of rules and financial pressure, including the withholding of EU funds, are also under consideration. Legal action and sanctions could follow in the event of a breach of the principle of loyal co-operation.

Another option is the suspension of voting rights under Article 7 of the EU Treaty, which allows such measures if a member state violates the Union’s values. The most radical scenario – considered unlikely – is Hungary’s expulsion from the bloc, for which there is no precedent.

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