Council President Charles Michel wants to run for the EU Parliament. An early withdrawal could follow – and put Viktor Orban in a central role.
Brussels – EU Council President Charles Michel wants to run in the European elections – and, if he enters parliament, will resign several months before the end of his mandate. He will take office as EUPresident of the Council “until I am sworn in as a member of the European Parliament on July 16,” Michel told Belgian newspapers on Sunday (January 7). His planned departure sparked criticism. The Belgian's mandate actually runs until the end of November.
Hungary will take over the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers from July
According to EU rules, the head of state or government of the member state that currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council would take over the post of Council President until the end of November. As things stand, that would be the right-wing nationalist Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban. In July, Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers between the member states.
This means: If there is no successor to Michel as President of the European Council – the body of heads of state and government – by then, the meeting would initially be chaired by Orban. This has been known for years for its Euro-critical course. He is the only EU head of state who, after Russia in the Ukraine invaded, still maintains close ties to the Kremlin.
Orban as a Michel replacement? EPP boss Weber warns
According to EPP leader Manfred Weber, Michel's announced candidacy in the European elections must not destabilize the European institutions. It must be prevented that Orban takes on “a central role,” he said CSU-Vice Weber on Sunday at the retreat of the CSU Bundestag members in the Seeon monastery in Upper Bavaria.
Weber emphasized that he assumed that the stability and ability to reach consensus necessary for the work of the Council would remain guaranteed even if Michel moved to the European Parliament. It is precisely for this reason that the President of the Council will remain in office beyond the dates of the reconstitution of the European Commission.
The Dutch MEP Sophie in't Veld from the liberal Renew Europe group accused Michel on the online service X: “The captain is leaving the ship in the middle of a storm,” the parliamentarian wrote. “If you have so little commitment to the fate of the European Union, how credible are you as a candidate?”
European elections in June: fuss about Michel and Orban
The Belgian Michel succeeded Donald Tusk as EU Council President in 2019. The post of Council President was created around 15 years ago with the Treaty of Lisbon to give the EU more visibility. The incumbent is responsible for preparing and leading the EU summits, for which the 27 heads of state and government usually meet in Brussels.
The European elections will take place from June 6th to 9th. In the world's largest transnational election, more than 400 million eligible voters from 27 EU countries elect the 720 members of the European Parliament for a five-year term. After the election, the heads of the EU Commission and the Council will also be replaced.
A meeting of the European Council is scheduled for immediately after the European elections. At this point, the body of heads of state and government will have to decide when his successor will take office, explained Michel. (so with dpa/AFP)
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