'Showing Its Teeth': EU's Path to a Showdown Over LGBTQ Rights.

The European Union (EU) is using new budgetary tools to confront member countries Poland and Hungary over LGBTQ discrimination and judicial independence. The EU has threatened Poland with fines and frozen payouts, hoping to reverse its poor record on disciplining rogue members. The EU's approach seems to be having an effect, with indications that Poland may be backing away from its hard stance. However, Hungary remains defiant, and the bloc's unity will be tested in a confrontation that could reshape the alliance. The EU's actions are seen as a fundamental step in acquiring the status of a guarantor of liberal democracy within the bloc. [Extracted from the article]