Hungary's EU Presidency: Six Months for Nothing?
Hungary's presidency is a cause for concern in the Brussels bubble. But calendar constraints will probably keep its impact minimal.
After Belgium in the first half of 2024 and Spain’s turn in the second half of 2023, Hungary closes the current Council presidency “trio” from July to December 2024.
In the context of tense relations between Hungary and the EU, many are concerned about the impact of Hungary on EU policies, especially in regard to the priorities of the presidency.
However, due to the current political calendar, the presidency’s influence is expected to remain minimal.
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Hungary: the EU’s turbulent child
It is important to put the current presidency in the broad context of the relationship between Hungary and the European Union. Since the reelection of Viktor Orban as Prime minister of the country in 2010, the country has experienced a strong backsliding on questions of democracy, inclusiveness, and respect for the Rule of Law.
This led the European Commission, in 2022, to order the freezing of EU funds dedicated to Hungary.
Furthermore, Hungary is regularly scorned by the European Parliament and other institutions for its poor consideration of European laws and values, its anti-EU and pro-Russia stance.
The priorities of the Hungarian presidency
The first striking element of its presidency is its motto: “Make Europe Great Again”, inspired from Donald Trump’s own slogan. Viktor Orban, a fervent supporter of the former US president, worried European leaders, especially in his close relations with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The Hungarian government highlighted seven priorities, including an enlargement policy “based on merit”, migration, agricultural policies, and demography.
A Consistent and Merit-Based Enlargement Policy
The proximity of Viktor Orban to Russia positioned him as “Putin’s main man” in Europe. It is expected that Hungary will try and slow down the accession procedure of Ukraine.
Stemming Illegal Migration
Viktor Orban’s party, the Fidezs, always presented itself as the defender of the Christian roots of Europe. The policies put in place by the Hungarian government are strongly anti-migrants.
The Hungarian presidency will try to focus on the implementation of the recent European Migration and Asylum Pact, with the possibility of efforts to render the external borders of the EU even more difficult to cross.
A Farmer-Centered EU Agricultural Policy
It is expected that, under the objective of protecting farmers, the Hungarian presidency will try and reduce the effectiveness and impact of European climate laws. Already in recent months, farmers' protests throughout Europe have had success in curbing the EU’s willingness to address climate change.
Other priorities
Other priorities, such as reinforcing the EU’s competitiveness or Defense policy are rather consensual with the rest of the Union.
Despite the general backlash that the Hungarian presidency faced, Hungarian officials wanted to reassure their European partners that the presidency would play its role of “honest broker" in the spirit of “good cooperation”.
A lost presidency?
Although Hungary’s ambitions might be worrying to democracy defenders and the EU bubble, it also falls in a period that leaves little room for action.
With the European election just over, the new Commission won’t be formed until November-December, and the European Parliament will not work on new texts until then. Furthermore, most important issues such as accession talks with Ukraine, the 14th sanctions package against Russia, and the European Migration and Asylum Pact have already passed.
Therefore, we can expect the Hungarian presidency to have but a minimal role.
Thanks for reading!
I’m Alexandre Météreau, EU lobbyists and campaigner.
On The Beubble, I share insights and practical advice on EU policymaking and influence.
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