The #Article7 procedure is widely perceived as a completely failed, dysfunctional legal tool to enforce compliance with #EUvalues.
2/11
Therefore many see the closure of the ongoing procedures against #Hungary & #Poland as potential bargaining chips that may convince the EU's two autocratizing member states to withdraw from the blockade of the EUR 1800 bn budget deal @EU2020DE@MKarnitschnig@meyer_resende
3/11 @ManfredWeber hinted on that option last week and rumours from @EU2020DE confirm the intention of the German Council presidency to please Warsaw and Budapest that way. standaard.be/cnt/dmf2020112…
4/11
However, in spite of the #Article7 deadlock, ending the procedures would be a fatal mistake.
First, the move would clearly rehabilitate #Hungary and #Poland and further empower their governments which would exploit the issue in the domestic political arena. @LaszloAndorEU
5/11
It would send the message that there are no serious breaches of EU values in the two countries.
However, the exact opposite is the case.
6/11
Both countries are ripe for Article7(2) and the suspension of membership rights due to serious non-compliance with EU values like rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and democracy (free but not fair elections in Hungary).
7/11
The move would encourage the two illiberal governments to extort and blackmail the EU whenever they can. This battle is definitely not the last one with the #PiS and #Fidesz governments, therefore empowering them for the future is a suicidal act.
8/11
The supporters of the idea leave out of consideration that domestic dynamics (a fall of the Polish government which is actually in deep crisis or a sudden but not unrealistic opposition win at the 2022 Hungarian elections) could render #Article7 a useful tool again.
9/11
If either Poland or Hungary remains alone and there is sufficient political determination to deploy it, Article 7 (2) can bite really hard.
The performance of @EU2020DE in this crisis will have an enormous political impact on the political legacy of #AngelaMerkel.
10/11 #Merkel has already a good chance that her historic legacy and reputation will be overshadowed by the highly dubious protection Germany has been providing for #Orban during the past decade.