Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy, the European Parliament said in a statement following its adoption of a report on Thursday in a symbolic vote against Viktor Orbán’s government.
“The situation has deteriorated such that Hungary has become an ‘electoral autocracy,’ there is increasing consensus among experts that Hungary is no longer a democracy,” the report said.
“Overall, [The European Parliament] expresses regrets that the lack of decisive EU action has contributed to a breakdown of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, and turning one of its member states into a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy.”
While the vote, backed by 81% of MEPs present, has no practical effect, it heightens pressure on EU authorities in Brussels not to disburse billions in EU cash to Hungary that is being withheld over concerns about corruption.
Citing corruption risks, the European Commission is expected to recommend later this week suspending billions earmarked for Budapest from the bloc’s 1.1 trillion euro ($1.1 trillion) shared budget for 2021-27, according to Reuters.
