
Although not specifically mentioned, Orban's Hungary is on the 'radar' of future partners of the new German government, the Politico article reports.
The future German government partners, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), will seek to withhold funds and suspend voting rights for European Union member states that violate rules, such as those related to the rule of law.
According to a Politico report, as part of negotiations for their programmatic agreement, the partners agree to ask the EU to impose sanctions on member states that violate fundamental principles, such as the rule of law.
Viktor Orban's Hungary is targeted, although its name is not mentioned, the publication explains. However, it is considered that "the draft clearly refers to the EU's worst offender, which for years has been accused of disregarding democratic rules, restricting press freedom and the independence of judges."
“Existing safeguards, from infringement procedures and withholding of EU funds to the suspension of rights such as voting, should be much more consistent than before,” a draft of the potential partners’ programmatic agreement states, the magazine reports.
He also notes that the future German government “wants to seek an extension of qualified majority voting in the EU Council, especially on some foreign and security policy issues, such as the imposition of sanctions.” This, it is explained, would allow relevant decisions to be taken without Hungary’s consent.