Hungary

Hungary is increasingly the focus of European politics and regularly makes headlines in the EU. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the country has repeatedly come into conflict with the institutions of the European Union, which has strained relations with Brussels. From issues relating to the rule of law to dealing with migration and energy policy, Hungary often plays a special role within the EU. Hungary in the EU: a problematic relationship When did Hungary join the EU? Hungary joined the European Union in 2004 and was an active member for a long time, benefiting from the economic and political advantages of the EU. However, since Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party came to power in 2010, tensions between Budapest and Brussels have intensified. Orbán's authoritarian style of government in particular, which is often criticized as an attack on democratic institutions and the independence of the judiciary, has led to repeated conflicts with the EU. This has fueled the discussion about the rule of law mechanism within the EU. Rule of law: a point of contention between Hungary and the EU A central issue in the conflicts between Hungary and the EU is the rule of law. The EU rule of law mechanism was introduced to ensure compliance with democratic principles in the member states. However, Hungary is regularly accused of violating these principles. These include restrictions on press freedom, interference in the judiciary and increasingly illiberal government policies. In 2022, the EU Commission initiated proceedings against Hungary under the rule of law mechanism, which could ultimately lead to the blocking of EU funds. The EU and Hungary in conflict: The conflict came to a head when the European Parliament passed a resolution in 2022 describing Hungary as an "electoral autocracy". Critics call for tougher measures to be taken against Hungary, but excluding the country from the EU is not possible under the treaties. Instead, there could be a long-term restriction of EU funds if Hungary does not improve the rule of law. Hungary blocks decisions in the EU Hungary has repeatedly blocked European decision-making in recent years. Whether it was about sanctions against Russia, migration or the expansion of NATO, Hungary has repeatedly used its veto to delay European projects. Hungary occupies a special position, particularly in connection with the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia. Budapest has close economic ties with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector, and continues to maintain a pragmatic relationship with Russia. Hungary obtains a large proportion of its gas from Russia and has spoken out against tougher sanctions, which makes cooperation within the EU more difficult. Hungary's EU Council Presidency in 2024 When will Hungary hold the EU Presidency? Despite the tensions, Hungary will take over the EU presidency in 2024. This is seen as a challenge, as the country is at odds with the main lines of EU policy in many areas. Critics fear that Hungary could use its presidency to push through its own interests and delay or influence EU-wide decisions. However, the Council Presidency also offers the opportunity to build bridges and strengthen Hungary's position within the EU. Migration: Hungary's strict stance Another point of conflict between Hungary and the EU is migration policy. Hungary has pursued a strict anti-migration policy since 2015, which was introduced during the European refugee crisis. The country erected fences at its borders to keep migrants and refugees out and refused to participate in EU-wide migrant distribution programs. How many migrants has Hungary taken in? According to official statistics, Hungary has taken in very few migrants. This attitude is contrary to the EU principles of solidarity and shared responsibility in the migration issue. Hungary and relations with China In addition to the tensions with the EU, Hungary has strengthened its relations with China. Hungary is the first European country to join the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at strengthening trade routes between China and Europe. Hungary's close relations with China are viewed with skepticism by other EU member states, as China is increasingly perceived as a geopolitical rival of Europe and the US. Hungary's position in the Ukraine conflict Hungary is also taking an independent stance in the Ukraine conflict. While most EU states are supporting Ukraine with weapons and financial aid, Hungary is largely keeping a low profile. The Hungarian government has spoken out against supplying weapons to Ukraine and emphasizes the need for peace negotiations. This position, which is often perceived as Russia-friendly, has caused tensions with other EU and NATO partners. NATO enlargement: Hungary's blockade of Sweden's accession Hungary also caused a stir when it blocked Sweden's accession to NATO. Although the NATO member states agreed in principle to admit Sweden to the alliance following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hungary delayed its accession several times. Why was Hungary against Sweden joining NATO? Officially, there was no detailed explanation for this blockade, leading to speculation that Hungary might use the issue as leverage in other international negotiations. Eventually, however, the accession was approved after the blockade had lasted for months. Economic challenges: Relations with Russia and energy needs Hungary's dependence on gas from Russia is a key economic issue for the country. While the EU is trying to move away from Russian energy supplies, Hungary remains one of the few member states that continues to rely heavily on Russian energy. This close tie to Moscow has meant that Hungary has regularly criticized and in some cases blocked EU-wide sanctions against Russia. Nevertheless, Hungary is heavily dependent on EU funds, which puts the government in a difficult position. Conclusion and outlook Hungary's relations with the EU are characterized by contradictions. While the country continues to benefit from the economic advantages of membership, politically it is often at odds with the core values of the Union. The upcoming EU Council Presidency in 2024 will be a decisive moment for Hungary's future in the EU. The question of whether Hungary will soften its positions within the EU remains open, but current developments show that the country will continue to play an important, albeit controversial, role in European politics. The Table.Briefings editorial team reports on how the country is progressing and has all the Hungary news, analysis and background information.