Brexit was also aimed at EU by its proponents, but it didn't represent any threat; much the opposite: it helped cement the EU states unity - against the UK.

Orbán has managed to carve out a system within the EU, where he is holding all the powers, the media are under his control (or his cronies), the power to change the constitution, etc... He and his cronies have also amassed a considerable fortune, thanks to the unopposed political power and essentially having their hands on the EU money spigot. Not to mention his outspoken support for Putin and his characterization of the Ukrainian president as 'an opponent'.

All this on the EU taxpayers dime: Hungary, along with Poland is the biggest net receivers of the EU budget. The EU doesn't have any institutional mechanism to expel a misbehaving member: Article 50 can only be invoked by the member state itself, as we know,, but Orbán doesn't want to get off the gravy train. Article 7 allows to suspend certain rights from a member state, but it requires unanimity among the other members: as long as Poland can veto its application to Hungary and vice versa, this instrument is blocked.

There can be some other measures, such as blocking some funds like the EU recovery plan, but the application is going to be difficult. Meanwhile, Orbán has an enormous power of nuisance, since he can veto any EU decision requiring unanimity: this will certainly prevent some EU-wide measures to support Ukraine and sanction Russia.

Orbán didn't happen by himself: the EPP has turned a blind eye for way too long, benefiting from from the Fidesz MEP's addition to their headcount.

Countering Orbán is vital for the long term future of the EU .

The full report is here.

The European Commission announced on Tuesday (5 April) that it will trigger a conditionality mechanism linking EU funds to the rule of law, just days after Hungary's general election saw Prime Minister Viktor Orban secure a fourth consecutive term.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs on Tuesday that EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn had informed the Hungarian authorities that the European executive will trigger the so-called conditionality mechanism.

The mechanism, if implemented, could see countries with systemic rule of law problems lose out on EU funds - however, the process will likely take months to complete.

Hungary and Serbia have just elected Putin allies into government. That is their democratic right, even if the elections weren't conducted by fully democratic means. However, there is no reason why the EU should tolerate a state of affairs whereby EU money is funnelled to the cronies of oligarchic leaders who give aid and comfort to our enemies. Any discussions about Serbia joining the EU should now end.

The EU should also invite Viktor Orban to trigger Article 50 and leave the EU. Failing that the EU should trigger the enhanced cooperation mechanisms for fully supportive and democratic EU member states. A bit like the Eurogroup, which only includes Eurozone members, these mechanisms enable further cooperation between willing states over and beyond what countries like Hungary are willing to support.

 Any incremental EU spend should only be directed through this "new enhanced cooperation" EU. Gradually, as the "new" EU develops, it can shed the "old" EU, Hungary included, as so much dead skin. The current EU budget could be the last with all new shared funding being directed through the new EU. The new EU should also have greater enforcement powers for ECJ decisions, and more use of weighted majority voting, to prevent one or two members holding the rest up to ransom.

It's time we stopped faffing around with would be dictators. who undermine the democratic freedoms of EU citizens. When it comes to an existential crisis like Ukraine, we need to be clear on who is for and against the development of a greater and more democratic EU. It is clear that Putin (who supported Brexit) and his supporters are now our enemies. It's time the whole structure and membership of the EU reflected that.