The alternatives to a bite or a bark : after launching Article 7 TEU against the Hungarian government

Abstract

On 12 September the European Parliament—for the first time ever—launched Art 7 TEU proceedings against Hungary. The decision was based on a report denouncing various violations of EU values by Viktor Orbán’s government. But triggering Art 7 TEU came too late, and meant also too little, because besides the important political function of naming and shaming Hungary as a violator of EU values, the chances of reaching the corrective arm of the procedure are extremely low. Hence, the chapter argues, instead of Art 7 alternative means from the toolkits of the EU may be more effective. Infringement actions as alternatives have not really worked so far in the case of Hungary, but cutting off EU structural funds for regional development or other forms of assistance as a value conditionality approach has not really been tried as yet.