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It was no surprise when Hungary this week unveiled a Trump-tinged official slogan for its six-month EU presidency, although “Make Europe Great Again” still raised some eyebrows in Brussels.
Hungary’s ultra-nationalist and populist Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, is the European Union’s most outspoken eurosceptic leader.
Over the past decade, his administration has clashed with EU authorities and other member states over the rollback of democracy at home, migration and, more recently, the EU’s military aid to Ukraine.
Budapest has frequently vetoed key votes, delaying policies when others are ready to move forward. Billions of euros of EU funds were initially withheld from Hungary for violations of democracy and the rule of law, but reforms were later made and some were released. And just last week, Hungary was fined 200 million euros ($216 million) for ignoring EU refugee law.
Questions about fitness for duty
The presidency of the Council of the EU rotates among the 27 member states for six months. The European Parliament had questioned whether Budapest was fit for the job, as the presidency’s role is to act as an “honest broker” between member states and transcend national interests, and the country holding the presidency is responsible for driving the EU’s legislative agenda.
Last June, a majority of EU lawmakers passed a resolution asking “how can we ensure that this task can be accomplished by 2024, given Hungary’s failure to comply with EU law?”
But this non-binding objection went nowhere.
Hungary will take over from Belgium as current president on July 1 and chair ministerial and summit meetings. It will also take part in negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, on behalf of other member states until the end of the year.
“Honest Broker” with a Trumpian twist
Hungary’s EU minister, Janos Boka, pledged his country’s productive role at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday. “As the presidency, we will be an honest broker and cooperate in good faith with member states and their institutions,” Boka said.
During his term, Boka said Hungary would work to improve the EU’s economic competitiveness, strengthen defense policy, pursue a “coherent and meritocratic enlargement policy” and work with non-EU countries to thwart illegal immigration through tougher borders and more efficient deportations.
He added that Budapest, mindful of the protests over the EU’s climate change policies, would seek to close the gap between rich and poor regions, promote a “pro-farmer EU agricultural policy” and rebuild the Cohesion Fund, which aims to tackle population challenges.
And so the official tagline was born: “Make Europe Great Again,” Bocca said. — This is an apparent reference to President Trump’s famous “Make America Great Again” slogan which is emblazoned on red baseball caps across the country.
Relations between the EU and the US plummeted during President Donald Trump’s term in office, which lasted from 2017 to 2021. Despite his recent conviction, Trump is running again for president in November’s elections.
“It actually shows the hope that together we are stronger than individually, but together we can remain who we are,” Boka said, referring to Hungary’s catchphrase.
“Rebellious” members take control
Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law at HEC University Paris, also argues that Hungary should be denied the presidency.
“My biggest concern as the Hungarian presidency is [that it will] “It further normalizes the idea that rebellious member states can benefit from the game while ignoring its rules,” he told DW in writing.
Budapest will hold power during a transitional period in Brussels. European Parliament elections are held in June and the composition of the new European Commission will only be finalised at the end of the year, which will probably mean little new legislation.
Kyiv’s accession moves slowly
One area that could be affected is the early stages of Ukraine’s EU accession candidacy, which Kyiv wants to move forward quickly by starting concrete talks on needed reforms, known in EU jargon as “negotiating chapters.”
Boka suggested on Tuesday that no major moves would be made until 2025. “My prediction as the Hungarian presidency is that the issue of opening a branch will not be taken up at all,” he told reporters.
The Green Deal comes under pressure from the right
Alemano also believes that Hungary’s presidency could have an impact on the EU’s landmark climate policy, particularly the setting of targets for 2030 that would put the EU on track towards its overall goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Hungary’s Fidesz government has frequently criticised the EU’s Green Deal and climate action,” he said, “in a political climate that is expected to shift to the right.” [following recent EU elections]”Having a climate skeptic country at the helm of the Council in the second half of 2024 could have an impact on the EU’s position,” Alemano argued.
Diplomat warns ‘vandalism’ expected but no major disruptions
Still, the influence of the EU Presidency should not be overestimated: most legislative proposals come from the European Commission and are approved by member states and the European Parliament.
A Western European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told DW he expected six months of relative normality. “Prime Minister Orbán and his aides are well aware that if they ruin the EU’s agenda, other member states will step in and take over,” the diplomat told DW.
“At best, they will use the platform to troll, like sloganeering, and it is up to all of us to exercise restraint and not take the bait,” the source said.
Editor: Christina Black
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