WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
The Council of the European Union will hold a hearing on the possible loss of Hungary's voting rights at its meeting on May 27, according to an agenda published on the Council's website.
This will be the eighth hearing on Hungary since the European Parliament launched an Article 7 procedure against the country in 2018. Article 7 of the EU Treaty allows for the suspension of voting rights in the Council if a member state systematically breaches the fundamental principles of the Union.
The hearing comes as the EU looks for ways to bypass Budapest if Hungary vetoes Ukraine's accession to the European Union. EU High Representative Kaja Kalas said on May 10 that Brussels has alternative plans in place in case Hungary tries to block Ukraine's candidacy.
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is on plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support," Kalas told reporters.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly blocked or delayed EU aid packages for Ukraine, while opposing sanctions against Russia. Hungary's continued obstruction of support for Ukraine has repeatedly prompted threats to strip the country of its voting rights.
The European Parliament has also repeatedly expressed concerns under Article 7 about the "erosion of the rule of law" in Hungary.
Under Orbán's government, Hungary has faced increasing criticism from international organizations for restricting media freedom and undermining democracy.
