European Parliament Triggers Article 7.1 — Sargentini Report Finds 'Clear Risk'

On September 12, 2018, the European Parliament voted 448-197 to trigger Article 7.1 TEU proceedings against Hungary, based on the Sargentini Report documenting 12 areas of concern including rule-of-law violations, media freedom erosion, judicial independence, academic freedom, the rights of Roma and LGBTQ people, and migrants' rights. It was the first time the EP had triggered Article 7 against any EU member state. Orbán condemned the vote as 'a Soros plan' and 'an act of revenge against Hungary.'