Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002627/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Li Andersson (The Left), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Jussi Saramo (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Hanna Gedin (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left)
On 13 May 2025, an amendment was tabled in the Hungarian Parliament that would grant the authorities extensive powers to monitor, sanction or ban civil society actors, political movements, trade unions and media actors.
The proposal classifies organisations in receipt of foreign funding as a threat to Hungary’s national security and sovereignty. The amendment’s definition of targeted actors is vague. Once blacklisted, organisations would require authorisation to receive foreign funding, including EU funds, and would lose access to donations via the Hungarian tax system – a vital source of support.
The bill states that activities influencing public opinion on matters such as national identity or family values, or presenting them in a ‘negative light’, would be punishable. Sanctions include administrative fines of up to 25 times the amount of foreign funding received, with non-payment resulting in a ban.
Hungarians have protested, highlighting that the amendment poses a threat to democratic rights. The EU should also put forward this message more decisively.
Therefore, we ask:
- 1.what measures is the Commission taking in response to Hungary’s systematic violation of EU fundamental values and legislation?
- 2.if the amendment is adopted, will the Commission propose that the Council initiate proceedings to suspend Hungary’s voting rights under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union?
Submitted: 30.6.2025