Former European Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has articulated pressing concerns about the deteriorating relationship between the European Union and Hungary. Ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, Piebalgs stated that while no significant changes are anticipated until after the elections, the political landscape may shift dramatically. He warned that procedures to revoke Hungary's voting rights within the EU could be triggered if the government's stance does not alter post-elections. Piebalgs emphasized the delicate balance between maintaining EU solidarity and the political realities that compel difficult decisions regarding Hungary's EU membership rights.

Diving deeper into the factors influencing Hungary's government, Piebalgs pointed out the country’s energy dependency on Russian resources as a critical issue. He stressed that Hungary's attempts to block sanctions against Russia as well as assistance to Ukraine stem from its own established dependence on Russia for energy supplies. Despite this, Piebalgs noted that Hungary itself has played a significant role in fostering this dependency and has not made serious efforts to diminish it, which raises concerns about the nation’s broader geopolitical alignment and decision-making.

With Hungary moving ahead with deals such as the construction of a nuclear reactor with Rosatom and strengthening gas supply contracts, Piebalgs urged a reframing of the discussion towards Hungary's political approach rather than purely its energy policy. He stated that EU laws will eventually compel Hungary to move away from its reliance on gas and oil imports, indicating that the political attitude of Hungary could have significant ramifications for its relationship with the EU. The warning from Piebalgs highlights the tension within the EU as it strives to maintain unity and uphold democratic values against member states whose actions may contravene these principles.