Flash report on the Article 7 procedure

The procedure under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union may be initiated to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the EU’s fundamental values, such as freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. With regard to Hungary, the Article 7 procedure was initiated in 2018 on the proposal of the European Parliament.

Hungarian civil society organisations have been monitoring the developments related to the procedure from the outset, and over the past seven years have on several occasions formulated detailed recommendations to improve the situation. The General Affairs Council, where representatives of the Member States also discuss developments related to the Article 7 procedure, will hold a hearing on the matter at its next meeting on 16 June 2026. Therefore, Amnesty International Hungary, Háttér Society, Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Hungarian Helsinki Committee, K-Monitor, Mérték Media Monitor, Ökotárs and the Streetlawyer Association briefly reviewed the areas covered by the procedure and the changes that are expected or desirable in relation to them.

The civil society organisations note that the past four governmental terms have led to systemic deficiencies in the relevant areas that cannot be resolved overnight. The new government has made forward-looking promises in many areas that are to be welcomed from the perspective of the rule of law and human rights. However, the few weeks that have passed since the new government was formed have naturally not been sufficient for these promises to take shape in concrete measures, and detailed proposals and solutions still need to be developed in many areas. Furthermore, while the creation of a new regulatory environment is an extremely important step, it is only the beginning: only the practical application of the rules can highlight potential shortcomings, thereby providing an opportunity for correction as well.

Thus, although positive developments may, hopefully, make it possible to close the Article 7 procedure in the foreseeable future, Member States currently do not have, nor can they have, sufficient information to make an informed decision on the fate of the procedure at the Council’s June meeting; it would be premature to decide on this matter at this stage. This is not merely a formality: just as with the conditions of accessing EU funds, it is true for the areas covered by the Article 7 procedure as well that resolving the specific, systemic problems identified within this framework will contribute to making our country strong, liveable, safe, and just.

The flash report prepared by the civil society organisations is available here:
Flash report on the Article 7 procedure (8 June 2026)