Hungary Assumes EU Presidency Despite Russia Links
Hungary Takes EU Helm Amid Russia Diplomacy
Hungary takes over EU presidency amid concerns over democratic credentials and Russia ties. Despite controversies, Hungary pledges to act as 'honest broker' and prioritize issues like migration and Western Balkans integration. However, its ability to drive agenda forward remains uncertain due to limited scope for action and ongoing disputes with EU institutions.
On Monday, July 1, Hungary took over as the rotating presidency of the European Union. Despite broad fears about what detractors characterize as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly administration, Hungary has pledged to operate as an honest broker.
Viktor Orban, the nationalist prime minister who has been in charge of the country in central Europe since 2010 and aims to turn it into an illiberal democracy, frequently disagrees with Brussels on matters like human rights and the rule of law.
As the only EU leader who has continued to maintain relations with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, Orban stands out.
He has consistently condemned the restrictions placed on Moscow due to the war and has declined to deliver weapons to Kyiv.
In a move that has raised eyebrows, Hungary has assumed the European Union's six-month presidency despite concerns over its democratic credentials. The European Parliament had previously adopted a non-binding resolution expressing concerns about Hungary's backsliding on democratic values and questioning its ability to credibly lead the bloc.
Undeterred, Hungary has insisted it is ready to take on the responsibilities of presidency. In mid-June, Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka unveiled the presidency's programme, pledging to act as “honest brokers” and work “loyally with all member states and institutions.” This promise has been met with skepticism by some, given Hungary's controversial record on issues like press freedom, judicial independence, and human rights.
“At the same time, we believe Hungary has a strong mandate to pursue a strong European policy. Our work will reflect this vision of Europe,” he added.
Hungary's presidency program slogan, “Make Europe Great Again,” has sparked controversy in Brussels, echoing the phrase popularized by former US President Donald Trump, a known ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This slogan has raised eyebrows among EU officials, given its association with Trump's nationalist and populist ideology.
Orban's previous tenure as EU president in 2011 was marked by his boastful claims of “handing out flicks, smacks, and friendly slaps” to European Parliament critics. This time around, the nationalist leader has adopted an even more combative stance, vowing to “occupy Brussels” during the European election campaign in June. Despite gains by far-right parties, Orban's Fidesz party remains isolated, unable to find a suitable alliance in the European Parliament.
In a recent development, Orban announced plans to form a new political group with Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) and the centrist ANO party of former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, on June 30. This move aims to consolidate power and influence within the European Parliament, but its success remains uncertain.
Despite Orban's efforts, his party still needs to recruit parties from at least four other countries to form a viable political group in the European Parliament. Recently, Orban attempted to block Ursula von der Leyen's reappointment as European Commission President, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Von der Leyen has also postponed a planned visit to Budapest, casting a shadow over Hungary's presidency.
Orban has been touring European capitals to drum up support for Hungary's EU presidency agenda, which includes curbing illegal migration and advancing the Western Balkans' EU membership bid. However, analysts note that while Orban can influence the agenda, he needs the European Commission's backing to achieve tangible results. As Daniel Hegedus, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, pointed out, the presidency offers limited scope for action without commission support.
Hungary's seven priorities for its EU presidency include issues like migration and Western Balkans integration, but achieving progress will require collaboration with other EU institutions. Orban's nationalist stance and controversial policies have often put him at odds with EU leaders, making it uncertain whether he can build the necessary consensus to drive his agenda forward.
“Everybody was striving to reduce instability, thus restricting the room for maneuver for the Hungarian presidency,” Hegedus said.
According to Daniel Hegedus, Orban's ability to disrupt EU proceedings is limited, as the outgoing Belgian presidency and EU institutions have expedited key decisions, leaving little room for maneuver. This strategic move has denied Orban the opportunity to act as a spoiler, ensuring that important policies are already in place.
Last week, the European Union took two significant steps, adopting a new sanctions package against Russia and formally launching historic accession talks with Ukraine. These decisions demonstrate the EU's commitment to its core values and goals, despite Hungary's presidency and Orban's controversial stance on certain issues. The EU's proactive approach has effectively neutralized potential obstacles, ensuring a smooth transition and continued progress on key initiatives.
While Orban's ability to disrupt EU policy decisions may be limited, Daniel Hegedus warns that Hungary's presidency may still engage in provocative communication tactics, or “trolling,” to advance its interests and challenge Brussels.
Hungary has several ongoing disputes with the EU, and its presidency is likely to exacerbate these tensions. Budapest is currently seeking to unlock billions of euros in frozen EU funds, which were withheld due to concerns over Hungary's record on LGBTQ rights, asylum seeker treatment, and public procurement practices. These issues are likely to remain contentious during Hungary's presidency.
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