Hungary’s EU Council Presidency: A Challenge to European Norms Under Orbán

Hungary will assume the EU Council presidency on July 1st, led by Viktor Orbán amidst controversy over his governance and connections to populist leaders. With a focus on anti-immigration stances and EU expansion rather than addressing climate initiatives, Hungary’s role is likely to be contentious. The presidency will coincide with major political shifts, affecting legislative activity in the EU. Orbán faces challenges from both European institutions and potential internal opposition.

On July 1st, Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union Council for six months, raising concerns in the European Parliament due to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s infringements on the rule of law and EU strategic interests. While the rise of populist right-wing parties in recent European elections has apparently strengthened Orbán, the upcoming EU agenda will limit Hungary’s influence within the institution. Hungary’s presidency launch has already stirred controversy with its slogan “Make Europe Great Again (MEGA),” reminiscent of Donald Trump’s campaign. Although Hungarian diplomats deny plagiarism, Orbán’s admiration for Trump is well-known. The presidency will coincide with the US elections, a point Orbán highlighted. Orbán’s connections with controversial figures like Putin and Xi Jinping are apparent, having congratulated Putin on his re-election while simultaneously critiquing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, blaming him for the war. The EU Council, distinct from the European Council and the Council of Europe, serves as a key legislative body, comprising ministers from the 27 member states. Though it has legislative power, the 2007 Lisbon Treaty curtailed its authority in favor of the European Parliament, especially in foreign policy. The Council lacks the initiative to propose new EU laws, a responsibility of the European Commission. Hungary’s presidency will start right after the European Parliament elections, limiting legislative activity as the focus will be on assigning political roles and forming a new Commission. Historical precedence shows that recent presidencies coinciding with electoral aftermath witnessed decreased negotiation activity. Orbán has lost support in the Council with Donald Tusk’s victory in Poland but finds an ally in Slovakia’s leftist Robert Fico, also aligned with Putin. Hungary will prioritize issues such as illegal immigration and the enlargement of the EU towards the Western Balkans, steering clear of climate change policies and the rule of law advocacy. Orbán’s consistent opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, and “green ideology” is no secret. The EU has frozen approximately €30 billion in funds to Hungary in response to Orbán’s government’s attacks on judicial independence, press freedom, homophobic and racist policies, and widespread corruption, with Hungary ranked the most corrupt EU country by Transparency International. Orbán’s inner circle has disproportionately benefited from EU funds and businesses. As a counter-strategy, Orbán has been using his veto power against crucial EU decisions, employing a form of blackmail to unlock frozen funds. However, Hungary’s exit from the EU is not on the table due to economic dependency; 73% of Hungarians support EU membership. Orbán’s government seeks to enhance national governance sovereignty rather than federal EU control, mirroring the views of Marine Le Pen. Recently, Orbán faces internal opposition from Péter Magyar, who has uncovered party scandals and promised to tackle endemic corruption, appealing to disillusioned voters against Orbán’s regime.

The article discusses Hungary’s impending presidency of the EU Council, highlighting the tension between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ultraconservative government and European institutions concerned with adherence to the rule of law. Amidst rising populism and past criticisms of Orbán’s governance, the article illustrates the broader implications of his presidency in light of Hungary’s political alliances and the EU’s response to ongoing discrepancies in governance. The article also addresses Orbán’s controversial relationships with international leaders and his strategic maneuvering within EU politics, particularly in relation to critical policies and funding.

In conclusion, Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council under Viktor Orbán promises to be a contentious period marked by a focus on far-right agendas, resistance to EU norms on democracy and human rights, and internal challenges that could influence the trajectory of Hungarian politics and its relationship with the European Union. As Orbán leverages his presidency and navigates alliances, the impact on EU politics and Hungary’s standing within the union remains uncertain.

Original Source: theconversation.com