Brussels Hates Democracy and They Don’t Even Hide It Anymore

The Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels
Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/AFP
‘When Brussels’ antagonism was previously limited to Hungary and Poland, it was easier to frame Budapest and Warsaw as isolated cases. However, this narrative is rapidly collapsing. It won’t be long before Brussels finds itself in opposition to the majority of member states and the will of their electorates.’

Hungary has long maintained that the European rule of law procedure is little more than a tool of political pressure, wielded by the European Commission—with the intercession and encouragement of the European Parliament—against member states that refuse to align with the mainstream on every single issue.

Although Brussels has denied this claim in words, its actions often tell a different story. This became evident when Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party lost the parliamentary elections in October 2023, and a coalition led by Donald Tusk assumed power. As expected, just months later, the European Commission resumed the release of EU funds that had been frozen due to so-called rule of law concerns, and the Article 7 proceedings against Warsaw—initiated under the right-wing PiS governments—were lifted.

Brussels to End Article 7 Procedure Against Poland

This stands in stark contrast to Hungary, where the Article 7 procedure remains ongoing. Should the process reach its most extreme conclusion, Hungary could lose its voting rights, further highlighting the political nature of the ongoing ‘rule of law’ circus that has been dragging on for years.

‘Should the Article 7 procedure reach its most extreme conclusion, Hungary could lose its voting rights in the EU’

Changing Europe, Same Brussels

Since then, much has changed. After the European elections in June 2024, the EU’s political landscape shifted significantly to the right, and this momentum continues as more right-wing, sovereigntist forces edge closer to government positions across the continent. The right has also gained strength within the European Parliament: the newly established Patriots for Europe (PfE) political group is now the third largest in the EP, closely followed by Giorgia Meloni’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

UPDATED: Le Pen’s RN, Salvini’s Lega Join Patriots for Europe, Making New Alliance Third Largest in the European Parliament

The reaction from Brussels? One might expect them to reconsider their strategy toward sovereign member states, perhaps aligning their policies with the clear demands of European citizens: less Brussels, more sovereignty; less ideology, more practical and reasonable policies.

Unfortunately, that is far from the case. Instead, Brussels has doubled down, becoming more aggressive than ever, fearing the loss of their entrenched positions of power.

Austria Could be Next

In Austria, the Freedom Party (FPÖ), led by PfE co-founder Herbert Kickl, won the parliamentary elections in September 2024. However, due to the cordon sanitaire imposed by mainstream parties—at the European level also—Kickl has so far been unable to form a government. With coalition talks between the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Austrian Socialist Party (SPÖ) collapsing, the president has now tasked Kickl with forming a government.

As this is a development Brussels simply cannot tolerate, it comes as no surprise that they are already attempting to block the FPÖ from entering government by any means necessary. Progressive mouthpiece POLITICO has already hinted at what Austria could face should Kickl succeed: an Article 7 procedure against Vienna.

Orbán Ally Herbert Kickl Asked to Form Government in Austria

In a recent article, POLITICO, after lamenting that the EU has not yet acted against Austria as it did in 2000 when the right-wing Jörg Haider came to power, quoted EU diplomats hinting at what might lie ahead for Austria under FPÖ leadership.

One of the EU diplomats, frustrated by Brussels’ lack of decisive action against sovereigntist forces, stated that the EU should not only launch the Article 7 procedure against Austria but also fully execute it against Hungary. According to the diplomat, such measures are necessary not only to teach the Austrian and Hungarian people a lesson—encouraging them to stop voting for leaders who represent their interests and instead vote for Brussels-approved candidates—but also to send a warning to the French electorate. With France set to hold presidential elections in 2027, PfE member National Rally’s Marine Le Pen currently stands a strong chance of winning.

‘It won’t be long before Brussels finds itself increasingly alone, standing in opposition to the majority of member states and the will of their electorates’

Although POLITICO acknowledges that the cordon sanitaire against what they call ‘far-right’ political forces is no longer sustainable, it conveniently ignores the reasons for this shift: the failed policies of the Western mainstream, including the relentless demonization and punishment of sovereigntist forces. Rather than reflecting on their mistakes, they call for further punitive actions—actions that, in reality, are directed not against governments, but against the citizens who elected them.

This approach is clearly unsustainable. While Brussels’ antagonism was previously limited to Hungary and Poland, it was easier to frame Budapest and Warsaw as isolated cases. However, this narrative is rapidly collapsing. Current trends suggest that it won’t be long before Brussels finds itself increasingly alone, standing in opposition to the majority of member states and the will of their electorates.

Hungarian governing party Fidesz MEP András László addressed the issue in a post on X. László highlighted that, for Brussels, the ‘rule of law’ is merely a facade used to disguise foreign interference and discrimination against political opponents in a veneer of legality. ‘They want to sanction Austria for the mere prospect of having a conservative-only government coalition. They also want to intimidate French voters,’ he stated.

András LÁSZLÓ MEP 🇭🇺 on X (formerly Twitter): "Lawfare in the EU escalates!These people in Brussels hate democracy. They hate sovereignty.To them, rule of law is just a cover to try to wrap foreign interference and discrimination against political opponents in a legalistic cover.They want to sanction Austria for the... pic.twitter.com/cH0s3GOJd3 / X"

Lawfare in the EU escalates!These people in Brussels hate democracy. They hate sovereignty.To them, rule of law is just a cover to try to wrap foreign interference and discrimination against political opponents in a legalistic cover.They want to sanction Austria for the... pic.twitter.com/cH0s3GOJd3

At the end of the day, MEP László’s assessment rings true: the elites in Brussels hate democracy. They hate sovereignty and the will of the people because it clearly conflicts with their interests.


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‘When Brussels’ antagonism was previously limited to Hungary and Poland, it was easier to frame Budapest and Warsaw as isolated cases. However, this narrative is rapidly collapsing. It won’t be long before Brussels finds itself in opposition to the majority of member states and the will of their electorates.’

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