Brussels (Brussels Morning) – MEPs have penned a letter to EU leaders aiming to block representatives from Hungary from being capable of voting in Europe’s institutions.
The letter is being led by the European People’s Party (EPP), which Fine Gael is a part of, in objection to the recent behaviour of Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. The MEPs are aiming for Hungary’s voting rights at the European Council to be discontinued, under a method set out in Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union.
According to MEPs, this suspension would prevent Orbán from personally casting a vote on key recommendations at European Council summits for the EU, such as growth, financial aid or potential future nominees for EU Commission and Council Presidency.
Earlier this month, the Hungarian government took over as President of the Council of the EU – a position which permits its cabinet members to chair, plan and organise the sessions of European ministers in Brussels each month. Every six months, a distinct member state Government takes over as the head of this council. There had been growing fears within the EU that progressive judgments, namely the augmentation of the EU, would be left behind under the Hungarian presidency.
Within a week of the national government taking over the seat, Orbán performed what he called “peace missions” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Many, including von der Leyen, criticised Orbán’s visits and claimed that the Prime Minister – who is widely noticed as Russia’s closest ally in the EU – had been faking his government’s Council presidency.
The letter from the MEPs states: “The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union has barely begun, and Prime Minister Orbán has already caused considerable damage by exploiting and manipulating the role of the Council Presidency.”
It adds: “In his so-called ‘peace mission’ Prime Minister Orbán deliberately left the feeling that he was acting on behalf of the whole European Union, whereas in reality, he has no power to represent the EU or any other EU Member States separated from his own.” It is understood that the letter has been inscribed by Fine Gael MEPs Seán Kelly, Regina Doherty, Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry. The letter is written by Estonian MEP Riho Terras.
After Orbán had surprised hands with Putin last week, von der Leyen noted: “Appeasement will not prevent Putin. Only unity and decision will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and enduring peace in Ukraine.” Charles Michel, the outgoing President of the European Council – who chairs discussions between the heads of EU Governments – made similar statements. “The EU rotating presidency has no directive to contend with Russia on behalf of the EU,” he said.
The letter says public outrage is proof that the behaviour of the Hungarian Prime Minister, in the sights of the EPP MEPs, “amounts to seizing the powers and prerogatives of the EU Member States in the field of foreign policy”.
The letter said: “Furthermore, Mr Orbán is actively damaging common EU positions. For example, by going for a ceasefire at any expense, instead of a ceasefire on Ukraine’s terms. “Not only is he surpassing his powers when he acts to represent the EU as a whole, but he is actively seeking a policy agenda which is contrary to common EU positions.”
