The country of Viktor Orban takes, until the end of the year, the rotating presidency of this body which brings together the governments of the 27 member states of the European Union.
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After Spain and Belgium, it’s Hungary’s turn. Budapest takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months on Monday 1 July. Within the institution, which shares the decision-making process with the European Parliament, the ministers of the 27 have the mission of “negotiate and adopt EU legislation”of“develop its foreign and security policy” or even to adopt its budget. In this context, Hungary will have to ensure in particular “to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work”, recalls the institution’s website.
“We will act as an impartial mediator, in complete loyalty with all member states”assured the Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, Janos Boka. “At the same time”Hungary will seek to highlight its “vision of Europe”, he continued. A worrying prospect, because the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, with his Fidesz party, takes a populist, ultraconservative and nationalist line, eurosceptic and close to Moscow. The leader chose the slogan for his presidency “Make Europe great again”clear reference to “Make America great again” of former US President Donald Trump. Rule of law and European values, support for Ukraine… Franceinfo looks back at the main points of disagreement between Brussels and Budapest.
Respect for the rule of law in Hungary
Doubts even in the ranks of the European Parliament. In a resolution voted in June 2023, one year before Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, MEPs questioned Budapest’s ability to “fulfil its task in a credible manner, given its non-respect of EU law and values”. In this text, the European Parliament “condemns the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the EU” and said to himself “deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Hungary.”
Parliament was particularly concerned about corruption, threats to freedom of expression, academic freedom and the rights of LGBTQI+ people criticized by Viktor Orban’s regime in his country. Attacks on media freedom, obstacles to the independence of the judiciary… “What happened in Hungary was a work of undermining counter-powers.”recently confided to franceinfo Andras Kadar, co-chair of the human rights organisation Hungarian Helsinki Committee.
These concerns prompted the European Commission in 2022 to launch a procedure to suspend the payment of European funds to Hungary, using a procedure provided for in the event of violations of the rule of law. Part of this sum was released at the end of 2023, but some 19 billion euros remain pending. Hungary is also the subject of several infringement procedures, linked to an LGBTphobic law prohibiting the “promotion” of homosexuality among minors or the establishment of a supervisory authority aimed at preventing “foreign interference”.
At the head of the Council of the EU, what influence could Budapest have on these subjects? His presidency “falls, so to speak, at the best moment”, entrust to World An anonymous European Commissioner. Three weeks after the European elections, it is time for transition within the institutions. The appointment of the new European Commission will occupy minds in the coming months, and the activity of MEPs should consequently be calmer. “This is not a presidency where there will be legislative work,” French Green MEP confirms to the Politico website Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield.
Aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia
While the EU has been almost completely united in its rejection of the Russian offensive in Ukraine since 2022, Budapest has constantly tried to block European aid to kyiv, while seeking to limit or postpone sanctions against Moscow. In 2022, the Hungarian Prime Minister opposed the proposed European embargo on Russian oil. And in late 2023, Viktor Orban vetoed – and blocked – €50 billion in European aid for Ukraine. An agreement was finally reached just after Budapest released part of the European funds blocked over suspicions of rule of law violations.
Over the next six months, “We would like a reasonable discussion about our involvement in the war between Ukraine and the Russia”, warned Viktor Orban to the Point. “Saying ‘Vladimir Putin cannot win’ is not enough.” The Hungarian nationalist, who presents himself as “the only one fighting for peace”, believes that Ukrainian troops cannot prevail militarily against Russian forces, and calls for a ceasefire. Budapest also opposes discussions of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, believing that kyiv is not yet ready for this prospect.
At the head of the Council of the EU, Hungary’s power on these issues should however remain limited. In the program posted online on the website of his presidency (PDF file)Budapest wants to reassure: “The European Union supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. (…) The Hungarian Presidency will continue the work based on the decisions and guidelines set by the European Council.” Above all, important decisions were taken ahead of the Hungarian presidency: a 14th package of sanctions against Russia was approved by the member states on June 20, and they confirmed, the next day, the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Immigration management and respect for the right to asylum
The issue of migration and asylum is one of the priorities declared by Budapest for this rotating presidency. The Hungarian Prime Minister, accustomed to anti-migrant remarks, denounces the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, a reform adopted in May and which provides, among other things, for a strengthening of border controls but also a solidarity mechanism between Member States in terms of reception.
In mid-June, European justice even sentenced Hungary to a fine of 200 million euros, for “unprecedented and exceptionally serious violation of Union law” in matters of asylum. The Hungarian authorities have notably built fences at the country’s borders, and restricted the submission of asylum applications to embassies abroad, details the InfoMigrants website. Hungary’s attitude, for the Court of Justice of the EU, “has the effect of transferring responsibility to other Member States” to ensure “the reception of applicants for international protection, the processing of their requests and the return of third-country nationals staying illegally”.
In its program, Budapest announces that it “will pay particular attention to the
the external dimension of migration, including effective cooperation with relevant third countries, more effective returns and innovative solutions on asylum rules. Will it have any influence on the issue until December? If its capacity for action is limited, Hungary could try “provocations on the communication side”, Daniel Hegedus, a researcher at the German Marshall Fund think tank, told AFP. “Europeans have known Viktor Orban for a very long time and know that he likes to try big things”points out Ernst Stetter, special advisor to the president of the Jean-Jaurès Foundation for Europe, with France 24. “However, he does not forget that he is also dependent on the European Union.”