EU lawmakers push on with move to try and limit Hungary’s voting rights

More than 100 members of European Parliament signed a letter arguing the move is ‘necessary’ to protect the values of the European Union.

Some European Union lawmakers have called on member states to punish the Hungarian leader Viktor Orban by moving closer to withdrawing his voting rights.

At least 120 of the European Parliament’s 705 members signed a letter sent to the parliament’s president, Roberta Metsola, on Friday calling for more pressure on Budapest.

“Hungary has been repeatedly criticised for its erosion of the Rule of Law, and especially after Hungary’s actions to disrupt the decision-making of the Member-States in the December EUCO, we believe that the time has come for the European Parliament to take action,” the letter read.

The European Council (EUCO) is the collegiate body that defines the overall political direction and priorities of the EU. In December, Orban blocked a review of the bloc’s budget that included granting Ukraine 50 billion euros ($55bn) in new financial aid through 2027.

The letter called for a process to be started that could result in “the suspension of specific membership rights of Hungary, including voting rights in the Council”.