Copenhagen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Denmark calls on the European Union to fully utilise its legal tools to address Hungary’s breaches of fundamental rights, including considering the use of Article 7 against Budapest, Politico reported.
Denmark officially launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2025, holding the rotating six-month term until December 31, 2025. Under the motto “A strong Europe in a changing world,” Denmark’s presidency focuses on two overarching priorities: a secure Europe and a competitive and green Europe.
What actions can the EU take against Budapest?
“We are still seeing a violation of fundamental values,”
Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre spoke to reporters in Aarhus, where the EU Commission is visiting as Copenhagen assumes the rotating EU Council presidency.
“That is why we will continue the Article 7 procedure and the hearing on Hungary.”
Bjerre stated the EU should also look into restricting access to EU funds for countries that violate European law.
Another significant challenge for Denmark is EU enlargement. The minister highlighted Hungary’s continued blockade of Ukraine’s EU membership, stating that Denmark was “willing to look at all political and practical solutions for us to move forward.”
Could Hungary lose its voting rights in the EU?
Article 7 of the European Union treaty permits member states to vote on excluding or penalising a country that violates the bloc’s rules. Although often viewed as a nuclear legal measure, the EU has yet to invoke it, despite claims that Hungary has breached its laws.
If EU nations escalate their ongoing Article 7 process, they could revoke Hungary’s voting rights on European policies like enlargement, effectively removing Budapest’s power to veto Ukraine’s membership.
However, diplomats warn that progress depends on clear and strong backing from Paris and Berlin to unify the rest of the bloc — a support that has not yet been fully realised.
How is Hungary blocking Ukraine’s EU membership bid?
As Hungary remains firmly opposed to Ukraine’s bid to join the EU, there is speculation that the European Commission might proceed with Moldova’s membership application by officially starting a negotiation “cluster” in the near future. Moldova and Ukraine have been progressing closely together toward EU accession, so separating their paths could spark controversy.
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