Brussels Fears a Successful Hungarian Presidency

Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1 after a rather bumpy ride, as Brussels attempted to deny Hungary its rights guaranteed in EU treaties, reads the analysis by the Center for Fundamental Rights. Although these plans have failed, Brusselites are unlikely to give up such efforts in the next six months: they are obstructing Hungary's presidency wherever they can.

In the photo released by the Hungarian PM's Press Office, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (l) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold talks in Kyiv on July 2, 2024 (Photo: MTI/Hungarian PM's Press Office/Zoltan Fischer)

Just after Hungary taking over the rotating presidency, Viktor Orban's first trip was to Kyiv, which indicates how important it is for Hungary to create peace.

Since the outbreak of the war, this is the first visit paid by the Hungarian prime minister to the Ukrainian capital, where until now - with the exception of the Pope - almost only pro-war leaders have shown up.

During the talks between Viktor Orban and Volodymyr Zelensky, the situation of the Hungarian minority was also discussed, an issue that the Kyiv leadership has not satisfactorily resolved to date. The visit took the international press by surprise, as they have consistently and falsely portrayed Hungary’s stance as pro-Russian from the start, a claim that Viktor Orban has now clearly refuted. Hungary has been on the side of peace from the beginning, and not on the side of either of the warring parties, says the analysis published by the Center for Fundamental Rights.

Since Hungary's presidency could not be blocked, Brussels is now attempting to obstruct it. For instance, Ursula von der Leyen does not intend to visit Budapest for discussions with the rotating presidency government, breaking with a customary practice. Allegedly, they could not find a date that suited both parties.

It has also been common practice for the county exercising the presidency to present its program to the European Parliament. However, citing time constraints, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is not given the opportunity to present his program at the EP's inaugural plenary session on July 16. It is evident that Brussels is doing everything to disregard the will of Hungarian and European voters who envision a different future for Europe. The success of the Hungarian presidency and the emergence of a new right-wing European party family, called the Patriots for Europe, is very bad news for them, the analysis concludes.

Cover photo: Illustration (Source: Center for Fundamental Rights)