Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has canceled a scheduled European Parliament speech, planned for 18 September, due to flooding in Hungary.
The European Parliament formally requested the Hungarian government to address the legislature in Strasbourg. The invitation is traditional, as Hungary is mid-way through its six-month term chairing discussions among the EU’s 27 member nations. The “presidency” of the Council of the EU, as it’s understood, revolves around the national governments.
How is Hungary managing the ongoing flood crisis?
“Due to the extreme weather conditions and the ongoing floods in Hungary, I have postponed all my international obligations,” Orbán expressed. The Hungarian government’s communications head, Zoltán Kovács, posted images of Orbán visiting some of the affected regions. The Prime Minister called a “flood defense task force”, according to Kovács. Torrential rain and floods struck Central and Eastern Europe over the weekend, slaying at least 10 people and forcing thousands to evacuate from their homes. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that Poland was readying to declare a “state of natural disaster.”
How did the EU Parliament react?
In a word, the European Parliament stated, “President [Roberta] Metsola talked to PM Orbán to convey that the EU Parliament stands ready to do what it can to help all those affected. “President Metsola understood the situation and decided that she will liaise with the Political Groups for the debate planned for this week with the Prime Minister on the Presidency priorities to be delayed to a later sitting,” the statement said.
What are the political implications of Orbán missing the EU address?
As reported by analysts, the EU Parliament’s invitation is addressed to the Hungarian government, not to Orbán personally, so Budapest can in regulation send anyone to deliver the speech. It is not yet clear, however, who that will be. One obvious option is Bálint Ódor, Hungary’s EU ambassador. Orbán’s speech was formed to be a dramatic moment during the plenary session in Strasbourg, as the first address by a prime minister from the new right-wing Patriots party in the Parliament — while it would also have been Orbán’s first face-to-face conflict with MEP Peter Magyar, a domestic rival who is pulling strong support at home in Hungary.
