Officers in Brussels reportedly concern Charles Michel’s resignation might give presiding Hungary monumental affect within the bloc
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose nation will maintain the European Council’s rotating presidency later this yr, might achieve an outsized affect over the physique as a result of anticipated departure of Council President Charles Michel, Politico reported on Sunday.
Michel has introduced that he’ll run on this yr’s EU parliamentary election, which means he’ll vacate his present put up if he wins. If EU leaders fail to rapidly discover a alternative, the president’s duties would primarily be assumed by Orban, the information web site mentioned.
Michel signaled his intention in an interview with three Belgian media retailers on Saturday, saying that if elected, he would perform his duties within the EU Council till he takes his oath as an MEP in mid-July. “The European Council can anticipate this on the finish of June or early July and resolve on a successor,” he mentioned.
In response to EU guidelines, Hungary will take the Council’s rotating presidency between July and December. The timing might usher in a situation during which “an unchecked Orban [will be] ruling the Council roost for the six months instantly after the 2024 European election,” Politico famous, including that different EU leaders would “desperately” need to keep away from such an end result.
Orban has been at odds with officers in Brussels on many fronts. The Hungarian prime minister has been essential of EU migration coverage, and has persistently opposed sending arms to Ukraine, in addition to its accelerated integration into the EU. He has additionally slammed EU sanctions towards Moscow, saying they damage the bloc’s economic system.
Hungary additionally blocked a €50 billion assist bundle ($55 billion) for Kiev, which was meant to be disbursed between 2024 and 2027, whereas lashing out on the EU choice to freeze billions of euros in help to Budapest.
EU leaders are scheduled to satisfy on June 17 and June 27-28, shortly after the EU parliamentary election. Politico and different media have recommended that they might use these alternatives to agree on a alternative for Michel if he wins the election, though the method must transfer extra rapidly than regular. Below regular circumstances, Michel’s mandate expires in November 2024.
The EU Council president has additionally rejected claims that he’s abandoning ship throughout simultaneous crises in Ukraine and the Center East, saying he nonetheless has a minimum of six months left at his put up. He additionally famous that the second half of the yr can be marked by political transition in any case.
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