Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the democratic milieu have successfully concluded their visit to Hungary. The findings from this visit will inform an upcoming report that aims to propose measures for safeguarding EU values in Hungary, an issue that has remained pending in the Council since 2018. It is noteworthy that the three far-right parliamentary groups—Patriots for Europe (PfE), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN)—did not participate in this mission as their members share the same ideas with the regime of Budapest.
During their three-day visit to Budapest from 14 to 16 April, MEPs explored various topics related to the current state of EU values. These topics encompassed the rule of law and fundamental rights, including the independence of the judiciary, checks and balances, media freedom, academic freedom, transparency, anti-corruption measures, civil society conditions, the rights of LGBTIQ individuals, and the freedom of peaceful assembly. The MEPs engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, members of the Hungarian National Assembly, judiciary representatives, local authorities, unions, liberal professions, and civil society organisations.
The latest debate in Parliament on EU values in Hungary occurred during the April 2025 plenary session. MEPs discussed Hungary’s recent actions undermining fundamental rights, particularly a pro-government vote restricting the right to assemble. These new regulations enable authorities to ban pro-LGBTIQ+ events like Budapest Pride by classifying them as violations of the Child Protection Act. Consequently, the European Parliament has determined that Hungary can no longer be seen as a full democracy.
“The delegation’s findings indicate that there are no improvements in comparison with the situation highlighted in the previous resolutions of the Parliament. Moreover, there is a troubling trend of further erosion, including as regards independence of the judiciary, media freedom, academic freedom and critical space for civil society. These developments stand in stark contrast to the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU,” Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, NL), Head of the LIBE Delegation, said on behalf of the delegation after the visit.
In 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was initiated to safeguard European values, and in April 2024, MEPs reaffirmed the importance of assessing whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) TEU procedure. Despite these challenges, representatives from five diverse political groups were able to obtain firsthand accounts of the recent developments, which will assist in formulating the Parliament’s position and communicating it to the Council during the ongoing Article 7 procedure.
“Particularly alarming is the fact that the legislation in force as recently adopted, effectively prohibits Budapest Pride. Such a prohibition not only targets the LGBTIQ community but also represents a broader attack on fundamental rights, thus representing an imminent and irreparable harm. In light of these developments, and given the urgency of the situation, the members of the delegation request the Commission to apply for interim measures in the ongoing infringement case before the Court of Justice regarding violations of the LGBTIQ rights, in order to suspend the application of the legislation in question. Taking such action would ensure the right to peaceful assembly and send a clear message that the European Union remains committed to defending its core values and protecting the rights of all its citizens,” Strik added.
While the delegation expressed appreciation to the participants in the meetings, they also expressed regret that several requested meetings with high-ranking government officials, including the Prime Minister and Ministers of Justice and the Interior, as well as representatives from the judiciary and the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, did not occur.
The delegation comprised the following MEPs from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (in order of protocol): Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, NL) – Head of Delegation, Sophie Wilmès (Renew, BE), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left, ES), Krzysztof Åšmiszek (S&D, PL), and MichaÅ‚ Wawrykiewicz (EPP, PL).
