Hungary and Slovakia's Leaders Stand Firm Against EU Veto Rule Abolition
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak counterpart Robert Fico voiced their resistance to the potential removal of the EU's veto power, expressing concerns over the erosion of national sovereignty within the bloc. - Hungary's Prime Minister Orban and Slovakia'sformer Premier Fico stand against the EU's proposed abolition of pre-authorization regulations.
Hungary and Slovakia have found themselves under fire for their perceived obstructionist tactics within the European Union (EU), particularly in relation to sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's accession process. The EU is currently contemplating a reform of the unanimity principle, but achieving a consensus among all 27 EU countries remains a challenge.
On Monday, both Viktor Orban and Robert Fico voiced their opposition to abolishing the veto rule. Orban, like Fico, has been known to oppose EU military aid for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia, and both leaders argue that scrapping the veto would dismantle the Union itself.
Orban and Fico maintain close relations with Moscow, a stark contrast to most European leaders. Their advocacy for peace negotiations with Russia stems from their pro-Kremlin leanings. Hungary continues to import large quantities of Russian natural gas and blames EU sanctions against Moscow for its economic woes.
The EU has several responsibilities, including deciding on extensions of sanctions against Russia and almost all steps in the EU accession process.both Ukraine and Moldova applied for EU membership after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The accession negotiations officially began in June 2024, but it may take years, if not decades, for these Eastern European countries to meet all the requirements for admission. Peace with Russia is essential in Ukraine's case, and there's no guarantee of entry.
- European Union (EU)
- Viktor Orban
- Robert Fico
- Hungary
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Bratislava
- Moscow
Incorporating enrichment data: Orbán and Fico's stance against scrapping the EU's unanimity principle is rooted in their desire to maintain their veto power over decisions related to Ukraine, particularly its EU accession and military aid. Both leaders justify this as a defense of national sovereignty, contending that abolishing the unanimity rule would compel smaller states to adopt decisions against their citizens' interests, such as involvement in Ukraine-related military commitments[1][2]. Orbán has even warned that forsaking unanimity in foreign policy could lead their countries into undesired conflicts, equating it to a loss of sovereignty[2].
Their calls for peace negotiations with Russia reflect their pro-Kremlin sentiments. Fico and Orbán have consistently opposed military aid to Ukraine and portray EU-backed support as escalatory[1][2]. By doing so, they position themselves as mediators while using anti-Ukraine rhetoric domestically—Orbán's government, for example, has launched a referendum campaign that frames Ukraine's EU membership as a financial burden and a source of "cheap labor"[4]. Through their obstruction of consensus-driven EU actions, they also wield influence within the bloc, using the veto threat to extract concessions or delay policies that contradict their geopolitical and ideological alignment with Moscow[1][3].
The EU's consideration of legal mechanisms such as Article 7 (to strip voting rights) or alternative sanctions procedures[3][4] highlights the institutional challenges posed by Orbán and Fico's obstruction, as critics argue that it undermines collective European security interests in favor of Russian-aligned agendas.
- The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens (sanctions) as a prerequisite for maintaining national sovereignty, just like Hungary's Victor Orban and Slovakia's Robert Fico, argue against the abolition of the EU's unanimity principle.
- In the context of politics and general news, Fico and Orban's stand on the unanimity principle goes beyond Ukraine and Moldova's EU accession and military aid, as it also extends to policy-and-legislation related to war-and-conflicts, such as the protection of workers from carcinogens.
- In a policy-and-legislation context, Orban's warnings about forsaking unanimity in foreign policy might lead their countries into undesired conflicts can be compared to the risk of exposure to carcinogens at the workplace, which can lead to serious health issues.
- According to financial news and Fico's anti-Ukraine rhetoric, Hungary and Slovakia's opposition to EU military aid for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia can be equated to their stance against the European Union's proposal on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens, as they both see it as a financial burden.
- As the EU accession negotiations for Ukraine officially begin, the implication of Orban and Fico's stance on the unanimity principle could potentially lead to delays or vetoes in the implementation of the carcinogen directive, impacting worker safety in all Member States.
