President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen reacts with a Boycott decision on the Solo efforts by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Ukraine politics.
The top German politician announced that no Commissioners, but only high-ranking officials, will participate in future informal ministerial meetings under the leadership of the current EU Council Presidency in Hungary.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that future informal ministerial meetings led by Hungary will not be attended by commissioners, but only by high-ranking officials.
In addition, the EU Commission on the traditional Inaugural visit at the Hungarian Presidencya spokesman said. 63 MEPs had previously called for a resolution in a letter to the heads of EU institutions, which was sent to the WHAT withdrawing Hungary’s voting rights in the Council of the EU: “The Hungarian Presidency has only just begun and Prime Minister Orbán has already caused considerable damage.”
Neos MP and ÖVP representative signed letter
The letter was initiated by the Estonian Riho Terras (EPP). From Austria, the designated NEOS MPs Helmut Brandstätter and Anna Stürgkh and ÖVP representative Lukas Mandl signed it.
Will Hungary be deprived of its right to vote?
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country has held the rotating presidency of the EU Council since July 1, has “exploited and abused the role of the Council Presidency”. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President Charles Michel and Parliament President Roberta Metsola were called upon to do everything in their power to deprive Hungary of its voting rights.
This could take place within the framework of the ongoing Article 7 procedure against the country, which was initiated several years ago due to violations of the rule of law.
Letter criticizes “peace missions”
The letter criticizes the Hungarian prime minister’s numerous self-proclaimed “peace missions” since the beginning of July, especially to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
He “deliberately misrepresented his powers” and “deliberately created the impression that he was acting on behalf of the entire EU”. In addition, Orbán is actively undermining common EU positions, for example regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In view of this “abuse of power”, the EU leaders are being called upon to take “decisive action”. “Mere verbal condemnations” have had “no effect”. Hungary is currently the only country against which an Article 7 procedure is still pending.
The case against Poland was dropped in June because sufficient progress had been made with reforms. To date, these proceedings have never resulted in an EU country being deprived of its voting rights. The prerequisite for depriving a country of its voting rights is a unanimous decision by the other member states.
“During his travels, Orban not only abuses his role, but also endangers the unity of the European Union. By pretending to represent the entire EU, Orbán is clearly exceeding his powers. Given this serious situation, mere verbal condemnations are no longer enough. It is now urgent that we act and withdraw Hungary’s voting rights in the Council in order to preserve the integrity and ability of our Union to act,” commented letter signatory Helmut Brandstätter, NEOS foreign policy spokesman and designated MEP, to the WHAT.
In addition, NEOS appeals to all national and European representatives to present a united and unified approach to the Hungarian Council President.
Hungary blocked EU decisions to support Ukraine
The European Parliament, elected in early June, will meet for the first time in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The new parliament’s first resolution, which is due to be passed on Wednesday evening, could also criticize Orban: This could be done as part of a resolution on support for Ukraine. Hungary had blocked several EU decisions on support for Ukraine in recent months.
A year ago, Parliament called for the suspension of the Hungarian Council Presidency by a large majority. According to the Parliament’s agenda, Orbán will not speak at the first plenary session during Hungary’s rotating presidency. He is not due to present his country’s priorities until September. This is usually done at the first session.