A European Union Report Declares Hungary's Autocracy a Systemic Threat to EU Values

The European Union Parliament approved by a large majority a report that found the Hungarian Government a “systemic threat” to the EU’s values, in an unprecedented move towards an EU member. The vote also invoked a provision of the EU Charter to require an intervention of the European Council because of twelve areas of concern and to determine a grave risk of violations of EU values, which could lead to a cut-off of billions of dollars in EU funding of Hungary. The report refers to the Hungarian far-right anti-migrant Government as an “electoral autocracy,” a new hybrid form of government that takes power through elections, but then governs autocratically. As I have posted, some leaders are elected and then restrict liberty to such a degree that subsequent elections, in which they retain power, are no longer free and fair. The Soviet imperialist Vladimir Putin of Russia, the Socialist Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, and the Islamist Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey have been the most noteworthy examples. Hungarian leader Viktor Orban was an admirer of Putin.