Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa and James F. Downes argue that the EU faces a dilemma: should it pursue continued enlargement, or contract its membership
I despise Hungary’s current policy and social positions as much as the next guy, but I find it hard to believe contraction is the answer.
I’d be much more inclined to support a sort of containment procedure for toxic members, such as Hungary; rather than removing them from the Union simply remove them from meaningful power and influence in Union business until reforms are enacted. Maybe this is silly and I’m assuming this isn’t really something that there’s provisions for in EU regs but still.
What would containment consist of? They can’t put up a border. They probably could crush them economically ala greece, but that would just accelerate the rise of fascism.
I was thinking something like withholding their seats in the Parliament and keeping Orbán from the Council. No representation in the EU but still a member on paper.
My issue with kicking Hungary out is that, ideally, the EU would like to include Hungary; expansion is the ultimate goal. By removing Hungary now we’re just making more trouble for ourselves down the line… I just think a less bureaucratic—perhaps cautionary—measure can get us the best of both worlds: Hungary has limited influence on the EU’s politics, but there’s no need to go through the process of excision and reintegration, down the line.
Not sure if this is silly, but it sounds reasonable to me.
I despise Hungary’s current policy and social positions as much as the next guy, but I find it hard to believe contraction is the answer.
I’d be much more inclined to support a sort of containment procedure for toxic members, such as Hungary; rather than removing them from the Union simply remove them from meaningful power and influence in Union business until reforms are enacted. Maybe this is silly and I’m assuming this isn’t really something that there’s provisions for in EU regs but still.
Just my thoughts.
What would containment consist of? They can’t put up a border. They probably could crush them economically ala greece, but that would just accelerate the rise of fascism.
I was thinking something like withholding their seats in the Parliament and keeping Orbán from the Council. No representation in the EU but still a member on paper.
My issue with kicking Hungary out is that, ideally, the EU would like to include Hungary; expansion is the ultimate goal. By removing Hungary now we’re just making more trouble for ourselves down the line… I just think a less bureaucratic—perhaps cautionary—measure can get us the best of both worlds: Hungary has limited influence on the EU’s politics, but there’s no need to go through the process of excision and reintegration, down the line.
Not sure if this is silly, but it sounds reasonable to me.