EU to start punitive procedure against Hungary for violating rules

STRASBOURG, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to start an EU punitive procedure against Hungary for persistently flouting democratic rules.

With 448 votes in favor, 197 against and 48 abstentions, the motion passed in the Strasbourg plenary session, the first time ever the European legislature triggered the so-called Article 7 procedure against an EU member state.

The same procedure was launched by the European Commission against Poland in December 2017.