"Make Europe Great Again": Orbán as President of the Council of the European Union

Translated by Andrea Solazzo

With the conclusion of the European Council on 27 June, the Belgian six-month presidency also came to an end. During the final press conference of the European Council, the new appointments at the top of the European Union were announced: Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission, António Costa at the European Council and Kaja Kallas as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This conference was also an opportunity for the Belgian president, Alexander De Croo, to take stock of his six-month presidency before Viktor Orban and Hungary. It was a busy six months, during which many legislative dossiers were pushed forward and as many as 69 were concluded. De Croo highlighted significant achievements during his term, such as the start of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova and the use of frozen Russian assets (due to sanctions against Moscow's aggression) to finance Kiev. The prime minister claimed that the Belgian presidency also managed to make progress on complex and controversial but crucial issues for the European Union, such as the implementation of the Green Deal and the migration issue.

De Croo highlighted the complexity of the period in which the Belgian presidency began, with a war on the Union's doorstep and conflict in the Middle East. He welcomed the EU sanctions against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and also against Israeli colonialism in the West Bank. Regarding the internal market, De Croo highlighted the progress in the competitiveness of European companies and underlined the importance of Enrico Letta's report, which was presented during the Belgian presidency. The Belgian prime minister then wished Viktor Orban, who officially took over the presidency on 1 July, all the best. De Croo expressed confidence that the EU would continue to support Ukraine and pursue the double green and digital transition also during the Hungarian presidency. He tried to reassure about Orbán's presidency, saying: “having this office does not mean being the head of the EU, but leading the work”, also advising him to remember that “the EU is a place where compromises have to be made”.

The first round of talks between the EU and Ukraine took place on 25 June, after the general framework of negotiations was approved by the member states. Hungary's presidency began shortly afterwards, on 1 July. Among the most urgent priorities are the fight against illegal immigration and the reform of the European market. Ódor, the Hungarian ambassador to the EU, said that cooperation with neighbouring countries is the best way to prevent the arrival of immigrants. Regarding the economy, he welcomed Enrico Letta's report, which proposes new instruments to stimulate the competitiveness of the internal market. The Hungarian Presidency also intends to give more support to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are facing green and digital transitions. Ukraine's ambitions to join the European Union could therefore be delayed by six months with Hungary taking over the rotating Council presidency.

From 1 July to 31 December 2024, Viktor Orbán's government will set the weekly agenda and chair ministerial meetings in Brussels, deciding which topics to prioritise and which to postpone. The Hungarian prime minister has chosen “Make Europe Great Again” as the official slogan of the presidency, an obvious reference to Donald Trump. This prospect has generated concerns among diplomats, fearful that Orbán might use his position to promote his nationalist and right-wing ideas. In particular, the EU's policy towards Ukraine, which Orbán has often challenged and blocked with a veto, is considered the most at risk of stalling. On Tuesday, during Budapest's presentation of the presidency's official programme, these fears were confirmed: János Bóka, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, declared that Hungary will not help Kiev open any of the 35 chapters of the accession negotiations.

According to the ambassador, the Hungarian semester will be an opportunity to highlight forgotten priorities, such as the enlargement of the Schengen area. Ódor said: “we will make a decision by the end of the year on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria”. As far as EU enlargement is concerned, the Hungarian presidency will strive to facilitate the entry of new countries, both from Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Moldova) and the Balkans (Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania) and Armenia.

However, Hungary's 21-page programme includes numerous references to Ukraine, concerning the economy, territorial integrity, reconstruction, security implications, refugees and war crimes, but does not mention EU enlargement. “The enlargement process must significantly contribute to the improvement of the situation of national minorities”. Orbán has frequently complained about the lack of protection of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, a problem that the Ukrainian government has addressed by amending legislation on education and minority languages. This approach contrasts with that of Belgium, the previous holder of the presidency, which sought to advance Ukraine's bid for membership as far as possible.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Bóka said Hungary would work to make the enlargement process “merit-based, objective and credible” and shift the political focus from Ukraine to the Western Balkans. “We have noticed some enthusiasm for enlargement to the Eastern trio”, Bóka said referring to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. “The Presidency aims to extend this enthusiasm to the Western Balkans as well, so that they can make progress towards membership”. Bóka added that it would be “realistic” for Serbia, a candidate that has gradually moved away from EU standards, to open a new set of chapters during the Hungarian Presidency, while Montenegro should unlock “as many chapters as possible”. Furthermore, Bóka said that a new intergovernmental conference should be organised for North Macedonia and Albania, whose candidatures are advancing in parallel.

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