Hungary has recently assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, raising concerns about its influence on EU policy. The country will hold the presidency for six months before passing it on to Poland in January 2025. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary has often gone against the general flow of the EU, leading experts to worry about its potential to obstruct the union’s agenda.
Orban’s close ties to former US President Donald Trump and his strong nationalist stance have raised concerns about Hungary’s role in the EU. The country’s strained relationship with the EU, marked by disputes over financial aid to Ukraine and disagreements on various issues, has led to calls for its rotating presidency to be suspended. Despite criticism, Hungary benefits from EU membership and aims to use its presidency to promote its interests and make a change in Brussels.
Experts note that while there are concerns about Hungary’s potential confrontational stance during its presidency, any actions taken may not cause irreparable damage due to the limited power of the rotating presidency in shaping EU policy. The country’s agenda includes topics such as immigration, competitiveness, and defense capabilities. As such, while it may aim to promote its interests during this time period, Hungary’s ability to make significant changes is constrained by the nature of this position and broader decision-making processes within the EU.
Hungary’s presidency comes after the European Parliament elections at a time when legislative work may be delayed until new commission formation. With limited influence over EU’s legislative process during this timeframe, Hungary may struggle to block or steer discussions in a significant way. As a result, its role is primarily symbolic and its ability to intervene in decision-making is constrained by these dynamics.
In conclusion, while there are concerns about Hungary’s impact on EU policy during its presidency term, experts believe that any actions taken may not cause irreparable damage due to limitations imposed by both nature of position and broader decision-making processes within the bloc.
