Hungary Reemerges as Focus on Freedom of Speech

MEPs have attacked the “failure” of EU member states to take action against Hungary over its alleged curbs on “freedom of speech”.

LGBTQ+ rights have been under attack in Hungary and, at the European Council meeting on – among other topics – the Article 7 procedure, Member States are said to have failed to take any decisions. 

This has been branded as “very disappointing and a danger to European values and our democracy” by Greens/EFA MEP Tineke Strik, European rapporteur on the situation in Hungary.

The deputy sad,

“The recent ban on Pride and the proposed bill preventing foreign funding of critical NGOs and media are unacceptable.

“And these new developments are in addition to the already existing curbs on freedoms, including press freedom, control of the judiciary and endemic corruption. How much evidence does the Council need to conclude that Orbán has completely demolished the rule of law and is therefore a danger to Hungarian citizens?”

The Greens-EFA say they have been advocating for years that Victor Orbán’s right to vote “needs to be taken away” through the Article 7 procedure. 

It says,

“But now the Council also failed to decide on less far-reaching measures.”

“By not taking concrete steps now, the countries are leaving the Hungarians out in the cold. Only by finally losing his right to vote will Orbán realise that the EU will not let his autocratic rule go unpunished,”

Strik says.

Earlier this week, 20 EU countries, including the Netherlands,  took action against Hungarian PM Victor Orbán.

They signed a declaration against the sharply criticised anti-LHBTIQ+ law, including the ban on Pride.

“It is hopeful that there is some movement after all, and that so many EU countries are urging the Commission to act. But unfortunately, we are not there yet,”

Strik added.

Meanwhile, a Hungarian platform on European identity has won a top cultural award.

The European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen awarded the 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize in a ceremony in Aachen.

The first prize (€7500) went to Forum Europaeum a pan-European think tank and media outlet which promotes European identity, values, and unity through articles, podcasts, TikTok videos, and interviews.

The project’s goal is to explore European identity and societal challenges, through creating spaces for constructive debates on topics relevant to young people.