Present in Strasbourg during this week’s plenary session, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met the press on Tuesday 8 October to present the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which is already well underway. The leader is due to address MEPs on Wednesday, many of whom are critical of his regime’s actions in Hungary and its highly fragmented vision of the Rule of law.
Describing Europe as vulnerable, with weakened growth and in great need of reform, the leader presented the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council not as a time for solutions, but as “a catalyst for necessary change”.
Migration. A sensitive subject if ever there was one, immigration and the control of the Union’s external borders are among Hungary’s three main themes for this Presidency.
According to Viktor Orbán, the EU should “not force Member States to follow an unwanted migration policy”. “Illegal immigration has led to antisemitism, homophobia and violence against women”, he added. He also called for illegal migrants to be prevented from entering Europe until their asylum applications have been accepted, arguing that “the only migrant who will not stay in Europe is the one who cannot get in”.
As for the common rules on asylum, Viktor Orbán believes that any country that does not wish to abide by them should have the right to “opt out”, something that would be impossible without a reform of the European treaties (see EUROPE 13486A32).
US elections and war in Ukraine. Asked about the consequences for the EU of Donal Trump’s re-election, the Hungarian leader made no secret of his preference, saying that he would open “several bottles of Champagne” in that event.
As for Hungary’s blocking position on EU financial aid to Kyiv, he sidestepped it, saying that Hungary’s only desire was to find a way “to achieve peace”, by promoting “dialogue” with Moscow and not by following the “wrong strategy” of the Union (see EUROPE 13498/9). According to Mr Orbán, Ukraine cannot achieve victory on the battlefield and the EU must find a rapid solution to the conflict.
European competitiveness. “We are at the beginning of a legislative cycle that can enable all of us to make a commitment to improving European competitiveness: reducing administrative burdens, lowering energy prices, strengthening the Union’s markets and services, launching a green and transitional industrial policy”, listed the Hungarian Prime Minister at the start of his speech. He plans to defend a “European competitiveness pact” to strengthen Europe’s position on the international stage, and has also described as “absurd” the Commission’s recent decisions to impose tariffs on imports of electric vehicles from China (see EUROPE 13497/1).
He also stressed the need for a “more integrated” European defence policy to address growing security concerns.
European Institutions. Never one to shy away from criticism of the EU, Viktor Orbán has made no secret of his desire to see certain treaties reformed: “There have been some major changes in recent years: first, the issue of migration, which is not a technical issue and which has revealed profound differences”, he suggested.
Posing as the defender of the ideals of the “people” in the face of the Brussels elites, he said that the “bubble had to agree to change” or it would be “pushed aside”.
Article 7. The new European Parliament rapporteur on the so-called ‘Article 7’ procedure against Hungary launched in 2018, Dutch MEP Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA), warned of the deterioration in respect for the Rule of law in Hungary, noting the worsening lack of independence of the judiciary, discrimination against LGBTIQ people and campaigns of intimidation and defamation of civil society representatives.
The Dutchwoman called on the whole Chamber to challenge Viktor Orban’s statements on 9 October, when he will present the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council. Alongside her, the MEPs deplored the lack of reaction from the Council of the EU, which has still not activated the more substantial stages of Article 7, such as the suspension of voting rights. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre with Solenn Paulic)