Re: "to be ignored on this point by actually democratic countries"
Not sure where you heard that l, but it's Germany that's been pressing for sanctions against Hungary and Poland.
"BERLIN (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Thursday the European Union should cut funding and impose sanctions on members which pass laws that contravene core EU principles.....countries like Romania, Hungary and Poland received more EU funding than they provided, so curtailing that could provide important leverage. "
Source
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-europe-sanctions/german-minister-urges-sanctions-on-eu-members-flouting-principles-idUSKCN1R22PV
