Article 7(1) TEU hearings: Poland and Hungary

This procedure involves formal hearings to determine if there has been a serious and persistent breach of the European Union's founding values. It focuses on the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence, and democratic standards that all member states must uphold to ensure the EU functions correctly.

The process primarily affects the governments of Poland and Hungary. If the EU concludes that these values have been violated, it could lead to the suspension of certain rights, including voting rights in the Council of the European Union.