Can someone explain to me like I’m five why the fuck Hungary is still in the EU?

[kimsj@mastodon.social]

@aral
…or at least all EU privileges suspended pending sensible team-playing.

[not_a_label@toot.lgbt]

@aral I assume because the EU is petrified Hungary would become a Russian satellite state overnight... but I get your frustration!

If Orban loses in 6 weeks then hopefully things might change ‍️

[feliscatus@climatejustice.social]

@amro @passenger @aral yeah but unless I am mistaken the far-right is also currently the largest group at the European Parliament.

[ilka4you@mastodon.social]

@aral while I understand & side with your position, throwing out a country is not possible b/c the EU contracts have no clause to throw out a country.

However: sanctions, penalties, freezing assets, suspending voting rights and excluding their voice are possible & imo much worse than complete exclusion/evacuation. Obstacle: such resolutions have to me unanimous.

[anon_4601@nerdculture.de]

@aral

Apart from that, which is something I wonder about myself....

But the main question is,how can Europe be democratic if the vote of a single country blocks everything? Shouldn't the absolute majority prevail over the vote of a single country?
How ever can that be democracy?

[tokeriis@helvede.net]

@aral because the EU doesn't want them to become another Belarus, a part of the Russian empire, literally at the heart of Europe?

[normjess@tech.lgbt]

@aral I heard Hungary's right wing is heavily funded by the US right wing. without them they'd be broke, so they do whatever they say

that's why they were immediately onboard for Trump's Board of Peace

Orban may just want to be invaded by Russia though

trying to ascribe logic to the right is a fools errand, its all vibes - like fascism, capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, etc

[clarablackink@writing.exchange]

@aral Elections are happening for Hungary in a couple months. Peter Magyar's role as a member of the European Parliment has been cited as why Orban can't/won't arrest him but I'm unclear about the details in more depth.

[amro@todon.nl]

@passenger @aral
Maybe I should explain a little; for about ten years me and my ex-wife owned a little "Tanya" in rural Hungary. And after years of Orban being in power I was very relieved to finally being able to sell (at a 50% loss). Hungary is beautiful but rural Hungary is very poor, most young people leave for the cities or immigrate and the people that stay have a worldview that is heavily dependent on Orban controlled media.
Racism against Roma is rampant. Off course this is just my experience.
Just don't forget that The Heritage Foundation based their Project 2025 playbook on the way Orban slowly politicized the judicial system etc. etc.

[syphilia@kafeneio.social]

@anon_4601 The EU has been selling membership under the pretext that every country still, as a member, has a veto right. Decisions require unanimity. Whether one arrangement is more or less democratic than the other may be discussed.
@aral

[syphilia@kafeneio.social]

@aral I believe it's because they get more economically out of EU than they have to put into it. It is my impression that this applies to quite a few eastern members.