The presidency of the European Council may temporarily pass to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the country’s leader who will lead the EU Council from July 2024 to December.
Big changes are coming to the European Union, which could be a problem for Ukraine.
The head of the European Council and a true friend of Ukraine, Charles Michel, said that he will leave his position in the coming months to take part in the elections of members of the European Parliament. If the EU does not immediately appoint a new head of the European Council, this position could be taken by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country will become chairman of the European Union on July 1. Orban is opposed to military and financial aid. in Ukraine and is the only leader of an EU country to meet with aggressor Vladimir Putin last year.
Ambitious Michelle
Michel announced his intention to leave his post in an interview with the Belgian media. His powers as head of the European Council are due to expire in November this year, and elections to the European Parliament will take place in June.
This is the first time that the current President of the European Council will be a candidate in the European Parliament elections, and also the first time that he has left office early.
The President of the European Council is elected by a majority of the bloc’s 27 members. If they fail to make a decision by July 1, the presidency will automatically go to Orbán, as Hungary will take over the presidency (different EU member states hold the presidency, rotating every six months).
Orban got it all
Michel told reporters on Sunday that the EU has enough time to choose a new head of the Council and avoid giving Orban a top European post.
“I want everyone to understand: in any case, a decision on my successor has to be made in June… so it will be easy for the European Council to ensure that my successor takes the seat,” Michel told reporters.
“If there is political will, there are many tools to avoid Viktor Orbán,” he added.
Experts are confident that Orban has “captured” almost all of Europe, not just Ukraine. Therefore, other leaders will do everything to avoid his temporary leadership.
Important Features
The position of President of the European Council was introduced in 2009, and Michel became the third official to hold it. This post is also called “President of the EU”.
The European Council is the official term for European Union summits, that is, meetings of the leaders of all 27 EU member states. And the President of the European Council is the person who heads the summits, who is responsible for their preparation and ensures that the leaders’ negotiations lead to some kind of decision.
The president also has a decisive influence on the negotiation agenda. That is, he can invite other leaders to discuss a topic (for example, increasing support for Ukraine), or he can cross it out of the initial plans for the meeting. Also, the president can convene extraordinary urgent meetings of summits (since 2022, often focused on Ukrainian issues), or he can not rush such plans.
In addition, the President of the European Council has the right to hold international meetings on behalf of the EU. And from Viktor Orban, the only EU leader to hold meetings with Putin, surprises can be expected on this front. Especially in contrast to Michel, who after 02.24.2022 became one of the main lobbyists of Ukraine – both at summits and between them.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.