The European Parliament is increasing the pressure on Viktor Orbán. In the first session of the year, a majority of MEPs in Strasbourg next week are likely to give the green light for Katarina Barley’s (SPD) report on fundamental rights in the EU. For the first time, the Parliament would call on the Council to initiate Article 7 proceedings against Hungary for „serious and persistent breaches of EU values.“ This is stated in the report, which Vice-President Barley pushed through with a strong tailwind in the Libe Committee on Civil Liberties (35 votes in favor, six against). The procedure would be the first step towards further tightening the thumbscrews against Orbán: Removal of certain rights of the member state along with voting rights in the Council.