8. agosto 2024
EU-Policy
From July 1st to December 31st of 2024, Hungary will preside the Council of the European Union. Within the first few weeks of taking office, the Hungarian presidency had already generated significant controversy after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán embarked on a solo “peace mission” to negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, meeting with world leaders Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Donald Trump. This approach has been seen as a violation of EU diplomatic protocols, prompting calls for penalties against Hungary and potentially even an early termination of its Council presidency. To fully grasp the impact of the Hungarian Council Presidency on the EU, it is crucial to evaluate Hungary’s priorities and international diplomatic efforts.
What is the EU Council Presidency and Why is it Important?
The EU Council is one of the main decision-making bodies of the European Union, collaborating with the European Parliament and the European Commission to shape and enact EU policies and legislation. The Council represents the governments of each of the 27 EU member states and is made up by the ministers of each country. During Council meetings, these ministers discuss and adopt laws pertinent to their areas of policy. For example, if the Council is addressing legislation related to public health, each member state’s Health Minister will participate.
The EU Council Presidency is a leadership position that rotates among EU member states every six months, meaning it is held by each country once every 13 years. The presiding country sets the Council’s agenda, facilitates negotiations among member states, and represents the Council in interactions with other EU institutions. This role is crucial as it provides each member state an opportunity to enhance its visibility and influence within the EU, thus contributing to deeper integration and cooperation among member states.
Hungary: An Honest Broker or a Diplomatic Disruptor?
Orbán has portrayed himself as one of the few world leaders who can speak to both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Although these diplomatic trips have been of bilateral nature, Orbán has created the impression that he is representing the EU by displaying EU flags in Kyiv and using the Hungarian presidency logo on promotional materials for his trip to Beijing. Moreover, Chinese and Russian media have incorrectly reported that Orbán traveled as an EU representative, sparking outrage among EU leaders and heads of government for violating EU protocols and undermining the Union’s unity
Thus far, the EU has stripped Hungary of its right to host the next meeting of foreign and defense ministers, which will now take place in Brussels from the 28th to 30th August, as a symbolic measure to show collective disapproval with Hungary’s foreign policy objectives. Furthermore, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has chosen to boycott informal EU Council meetings hosted by the Orbán government ministers. Commissioners will only take part in formal Councils where legislative decisions are made, held in Brussels and Luxembourg and only the highest-ranking Commission officials will attend the informal gatherings. Other measures that have been discussed include terminating the Hungarian presidency, withholding EU funds, and the invocation of Article 7, which suspends Hungary’s EU voting rights. Nonetheless, such actions are unlikely due to their potential to undermine the rotating presidency principles and difficulties in obtaining member state unanimity and amending EU treaties.
Priorities of the Hungarian Council Presidency
Although Hungary’s position on the war in Ukraine has perhaps been the most discussed aspect of its presidency, it is important to highlight the Hungarian Council presidency priorities presented within its program. Hungary has pledged to act as an “honest broker” and to focus on fostering cooperation for Europe’s “peace, security, and prosperity.” The presidency program highlights key EU issues, including strategic autonomy, security, migration, international supply chains, natural disasters, climate change, and demographic trends.
The program focuses on the following seven key action areas:
Public Health Priorities:
Regarding public health, the Hungarian presidency mentions the following priorities within its program:
Overall, the Hungarian presidency highlights the EU’s systemic challenge to address member state deviations and serves as a critical test of existing mechanisms to conserve cohesion amongst its member states. If the EU is unable to successfully deter Orbán’s disruptive foreign policy endeavors, not only could it further fragment the EU’s current stance towards Russia, but also set a dangerous precedent for future EU council presidencies.
Despite the controversy, Hungary has outlined an ambitious agenda focusing on a wide range of key EU issues. However, the effectiveness of Hungary’s presidency will largely depend on its ability to navigate current internal disputes and align its actions with the broader objectives and values of the EU.