A delegation from the European Parliament, representing seven political groups and led by Sophie Wilmès, chair of the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) set up within the LIBE committee, concluded a three-day visit to Hungary this Wednesday, eighteen months after its previous mission in April 2025.
Alongside Sophie Wilmès (Renew Europe), the delegation consisted of Michał Wawrykiewicz (EPP), Alessandro Zan (S&D), András László (PfE), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR), Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA) and Milan Uhrík (ESN).
The visit allowed MEPs to observe a profound transformation of the Hungarian political and institutional landscape, marked by an impressive pace of reform since the new government took office.
In just a few months, particularly significant progress has been made in addressing long-standing concerns about democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. The end of government by decree under the state of emergency, the abolition of the Sovereignty Protection Office, major reforms in justice and the fight against corruption, Hungary's accession to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the adoption of new safeguards for media independence, as well as the repeal of several discriminatory provisions of the child protection law targeting LGBTIQ+ people, are among the most notable developments.
This progress is also starting to be recognised at European level, as shown by the Council's recent decision to lift the budgetary conditionality measures targeting Hungary.
Sophie Wilmès welcomes these developments: “The contrast with our 2025 visit is striking. The scale and pace of the reforms undertaken in just a few months are impressive. Many concerns raised in the past have already been addressed, and the first concrete results are now visible. This progress must and deserves to be fully recognised.”
However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding judicial independence, the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions in high-level corruption cases, media concentration and the restrictions still affecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. The reform process is therefore far from complete.
New measures have already been announced, including a thorough reform of the media sector to address structural issues such as transparency of media ownership and state-funded institutional advertising, a reform of electoral legislation aimed at promoting a more pluralistic democracy, and the drafting of a new Constitution as part of a broad public consultation process. Further reforms will also be needed to guarantee effective access to asylum procedures and ensure compliance with European legal standards.
It will be essential to ensure that these reforms are effectively implemented, through inclusive processes and underpinned by lasting democratic safeguards.
Beyond the situation in Hungary, Sophie Wilmès also highlighted the broader questions raised by this process: “The European Union has equipped itself with tools to react when the rule of law deteriorates. But are we equally well equipped to support initiatives aimed at restoring it? Rebuilding democratic institutions takes time and sometimes requires profound transformations. We must consider how to recognise progress made, set priorities and allow the necessary room for reforms, without ever compromising on our core principles. One thing is certain: continued dialogue and close monitoring will remain essential.”
Beyond the progress demonstrated by the release of European funds, the European Parliament's report under Article 7 also covers broader issues where progress is also expected: constitutional reform, electoral legislation, fundamental rights and equality, including the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and Roma, asylum, and economic and social rights.
The delegation will now consolidate the findings of its mission and report back to the LIBE committee.
At this stage, no conclusions have been drawn regarding the future of the procedure launched under Article 7.
A plenary debate and the adoption of a resolution on Hungary are planned for the upcoming sessions of the European Parliament.