On July 1, 2024, Hungary will in turn hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This upcoming six-monthly presidency is causing consternation in the European Parliament and in some capitals at a time when Hungary is distancing itself from European solidarity in favor of Ukraine, is embroiled in several fights with the Committee on the respect of the state by law and block Sweden’s membership of NATO. Some therefore call for passing the turn of Hungary, which once held the rotating presidency, in 2011.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
The future Hungarian presidency coincides with the moment when the Europeans will have to choose the new leaders of their institutions. Normally, the rotating presidency of the EU does not concern the European Council since there is a President of the Council, but it will be precisely at this time that a replacement for Charles Michel and the President of the Commission.
The role of the rotating presidency then becomes central again since it is she who will have to propose the compromises. The prospect of seeing Viktor Orbán’s Hungary hold the rotating presidency sends shivers down the spine of many MEPs; they are going to put to the vote this Thursday a resolution to ask the Council to pass the turn of Hungary.
It is not Parliament’s prerogative, it is not provided for in the European treaties, but this concern is echoed in several capitals. This is particularly the case of the Netherlands, where the Minister for Foreign Affairs considers the situation uncomfortable, and it is above all the case of Germany, where the Secretary of State for European Affairs doubts Hungary’s ability to exercise the Presidency of the Council of the EU