The European Parliament triggered the first phase of the Article 7 procedure — also known as the “nuclear option” — against Hungary in 2018 over suspected “serious breaches” of the bloc’s core values and fundamental rights. The process, which could lead to the suspension of Hungary’s voting rights, has stalled because of political divisions among member countries.
In 2022, the EU executive wielded previously unused powers to rein in rule-breakers, allowing it to freeze certain funds to countries. It moved to block about €22 billion in EU cohesion cash earmarked to Hungary amid concerns over human rights and the independence of the judiciary.
It eventually unfroze more than €10 billion last year, sparking backlash from lawmakers, but Hungary now faces a Dec. 31 deadline if it doesn’t want to lose about €1 billion for good.
“The Commission has shown a willingness to act where appropriate and various steps have been taken … but I am a new commissioner,” McGrath stressed. He already had a “good meeting” with János Bóka, the Hungarian minister for European affairs.
“I will not be aggressive or bombastic in any way, but that should not be mistaken for weakness,” he added, brushing off criticism from the co-leader of the Greens in the Parliament Terry Reintke that he might be “too Irish” for the job.
It’s actually a “compliment,” he said.
