POLITICO: Hungary to lose important Brussels position
Brussels’ displeasure with Hungarian politics may result in a reduced role for the country in the European Commission. Diplomats suggest the Hungarian government could lose a significant position due to its policy towards Ukraine.
“Fed up with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s constant obstructionism on Ukraine, his fellow EU leaders plan to punish him by giving his country a weak portfolio in the next European Commission,” POLITICO writes, citing three diplomats who requested anonymity.
Hungary to lose important position in Brussels?
According to the sources, EU officials in Brussels are dissatisfied with Viktor Orbán’s close political relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and European leaders “are increasingly exasperated with [Orbán’s] foot-dragging on sanctions and his opposition to delivering funds to Kyiv.”
The diplomats also told POLITICO that EU officials “have no appetite for” Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement from Hungary. The Commissioner plays a significant role in discussions about Ukraine’s and Balkan states’ accession to the EU, which is problematic because, as the diplomats note, Hungary has been openly and consistently attempting to halt the accession talks and block aid to Ukraine.
Moreover, Várhelyi has been accused of creating confusion regarding the recent controversial “foreign agent” law in Georgia, which was criticised for targeting civil society groups, activists, NGOs, and opposition media outlets.
“There is hardly ‘even a question’ of Hungary being allowed to keep control of any powerful brief.”
– said one envoy about the situation, adding, “After the disaster this time round with Várhelyi and the way Orbán is taking on [Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen, there is no way she will hand over anything important to someone close to him.”
The next president of the European Commission and the governments decide together who will hold the post in the future. Nonetheless, POLITICO writes that Hungary “remains hopeful Vásárhelyi will stay in his post.”
Várhelyi’s appointment backfired for Brussels, envoy says
As POLITICO highlights, Várhelyi’s appointment in 2019 was regarded as a peace offering from Brussels to try to appease the Hungarian government regarding its increasing Euroscepticism. The paper compares the appointment to how the United Kingdom – at a time when it was becoming more and more anti-EU and David Cameron had put the Brexit referendum in prospect – was handed important economic roles within the Union.
Now, it seems, Várhelyi’s position is severely limiting the decision-making capabilities of the organisation. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, for example, told POLITICO that Hungary is the chief reason why Brussels cannot articulate a coherent stance on Gaza and Russia, saying:
“Almost all of our discussions and needed solutions and decisions by [the] EU are being blocked by just one country.”
Neither Várhelyi’s office nor the Hungarian Foreign Ministry responded to POLITICO’s requests for comment on the statements of the diplomats.
Hungary will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union and will hold it until 31 December.
Read also:
- Hungarian government says EU politicians want to take young people to the Ukrainian front – HERE
- Minister: PM Orbán will be a ‘fair mediator’ during Hungary’s EU presidency – Read HERE
Source: POLITICO