Hungary No Longer a ‘Full Democracy?’
Commentary
The European Parliament has voted to declare Hungary no longer a true democracy.
The resolution, passed on Sept. 15, describes the central European country as a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” and that while elections do occur, respect for democratic norms and stands is “absent.”
The resolution received 433 votes in favour and 123 votes against declaring Hungary in “serious breach” of the European Union’s democratic norms.
The Parliament called on the European Council—consisting of Heads of States and governments—to consider imposing sanctions.
The resolution is based on Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union, which allows the European Council to determine if there is a “clear risk of a serious breach … of the values referred to in Article 2.” These values include respect for “human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.”…