Brussels, February 27, 2026 – The European Commission has moved to temporarily implement a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American nations, a decision met with immediate condemnation from the Hungarian-based Tisza Party. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move on Friday, initiating the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur agreement despite ongoing legal challenges and opposition from within the European Parliament.
The Tisza Party responded swiftly, issuing a statement declaring the Commission’s decision “unacceptable,” arguing that such a significant step should not be taken without “proper approval” from the European Parliament, particularly whereas the agreement remains under review by the EU Court of Justice. The party emphasized its commitment to protecting Hungarian farmers, voicing concerns that they will be subjected to “unfair competition from South American imports” operating under less stringent climate and animal welfare regulations.
The Commission’s decision follows a January approval of the deal by the European Council, despite opposition from the Hungarian government. This approval paved the way for provisional application once Mercosur nations completed their own ratification processes. Argentina and Uruguay ratified the agreement on Thursday, triggering the Commission’s action. Full ratification, however, requires the consent of the European Parliament, which has referred the agreement to the EU Court of Justice, effectively pausing the process pending a ruling.
Von der Leyen defended the move, stating that the provisional application is temporary and contingent upon the European Parliament’s eventual consent. She highlighted the ratification by Uruguay and Argentina as a demonstration of commitment from both sides, according to reports from VG.hu. The agreement aims to create a free trade zone encompassing 720 million people and eliminate billions in tariffs.
The decision has sparked immediate reactions from across the political spectrum. Győri Enikő, a Member of the European Parliament representing Hungary’s Fidesz party, criticized the move on social media, claiming the Commission had “finally abandoned farmers and strayed from the path of democracy.” The Fidesz press office followed with a statement accusing the Tisza Party of being unable to oppose Brussels and asserting that Manfred Weber and Ursula von der Leyen had “betrayed Hungarian farmers,” with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán being the “only one capable of protecting them.”
The Tisza Party, in its statement, also called on the Hungarian government to cease what it termed “hysteria” and leverage its influence within the European Council to safeguard Hungarian agricultural interests. The party’s stance reflects broader anxieties within the sector regarding the potential impact of increased imports from Mercosur countries.
The European Commission’s move utilizes a legal mechanism to enact the agreement provisionally, a tactic described by Origo.hu as a “legal loophole.” This action comes after the European Parliament voted in January to refer the agreement to the EU Court of Justice, a move that could potentially freeze the ratification process for up to two years.