The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, plans to run for office in the EU elections in June and to give up the position of president prematurely.
President of the European Council Charles Michel announced that he intends to run for office in the EU elections in June and will then prematurely resign from the position of chairman.
Officially, Michelin’s mandate would continue until November.
Michel said he plans to step aside as chairman in July, when MPs take up their duties.
The European Council meeting is scheduled to be held right after the EU elections.
The Council plays a key role in EU decision-making. The institution consisting of the heads of state of the member states determines the general political policies and priorities of the entire Union. In addition, the Council appoints the heads of the ECB and the Commission.
The president presides over meetings, convenes special meetings and represents the EU abroad to varying degrees.
According to Michel, who is leaving the position, it is now necessary to decide when his successor will take up the position of chairman.
Michelin’s announcement has been criticized.
For example, a Dutch MP sitting in the same European Parliament’s Renewing Europe group Sophie in’t Veld described Michel “as the captain who abandons the ship in the middle of the storm”. Professor of EU law at HEC University in France Alberto Alemanno called Michelin’s decision “irresponsible” and “self-centered” on the X-message service and warned Hungary about the opportunity.
The possibility of disorder is high, especially because Hungary, the eternal rival of the opposite shore, may come to power as a result of Michelin’s surprise decision.
In accordance with EU procedures, the head of the rotating presidency would take over the role of chairman temporarily until November.
Now the Prime Minister of Hungary would step into the shoes Viktor Orbanknown for his pro-Russian sentiment, his opposition to arms aid to Ukraine, and his general disdain for the EU and the West.
On Sunday, Michel responded to the criticism.
– I want to make it clear that in any case, a decision about my successor was supposed to be made in June and the parliament’s decision will be made in July, Michel said.
According to Michelin, with these decisions, it will be easy for the European Council to anticipate the appointment of Michelin’s successor.
– If there is political will, there are tools to ignore Orban, Michel assured.
Source: AFP, Reuters
The story was updated on January 7, 2024 at 9:12 p.m. Professor Alemanno’s comment and Michelin’s responses to the criticism were added to the story.