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From /apa, July 16, 2024, 09:35
Image: (APA/AFP/ALEX HALADA)
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Image: (APA/AFP/ALEX HALADA)
BRUSSELS/VIENNA. The German government has no common position on the boycott of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency by the EU Commission.
“I do not believe in boycotting EU councils of heads of government or specialist ministers,” said Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). ÖVP ministers would continue to attend councils and meetings. Social and Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens), however, will join the boycott, as he announced in Vienna on Tuesday.
“Discussing breaking taboos”
“Orban has broken a taboo that needs to be discussed,” said Nehammer“But we should not respond to this with another taboo break, namely a boycott,” explained Nehammer. Orban must be confronted with his uncoordinated approach, but not the Council Presidency must be boycotted,” said the Chancellor. “Not talking to each other within the EU is the worst solution of all,” said the Chancellor. “Austrian ministers will therefore continue to take part in sessions and meetings of the EU Council Presidency,” said Nehammer. The statement applies to all ÖVP ministers, clarified a spokeswoman for the Chancellor.
Confrontation instead of boycott
“As Minister for Europe, I will of course attend the informal meeting of European ministers in Hungary,” stressed Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP). “Now is the time to confront Orban instead of boycotting him. Hungary has a special responsibility as the country holding the presidency, and we will not release it from this responsibility.” It is also important to “clearly address and discuss Orban’s breach of taboo.”
Climate and Energy Minister did not boycott Leonore Gewessler (Greens) today, Tuesday, an informal council of EU energy ministers under the Hungarian Council Presidency in Budapest. She attended the meeting in the Hungarian capital, according to EU Council records.
Rauch wants to “take a clear stance”
Image: (APA/EVA MANHART)
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Image: (APA/EVA MANHART)
“I have decided not to attend these councils (councils of ministers under the Hungarian presidency),” he said. Rauch clear. This was his “personal political decision,” he said when asked whether this approach was coordinated within the government. “You have to take a clear stance,” because Orban had “crossed a line.” It was “unacceptable” that Orban (whose country currently holds the EU Council Presidency) traveled to Moscow.
On the question of whether Hungary should be deprived of its voting rights in the EU Council, as 63 MEPs had demanded in a letter to the heads of EU institutions, Rauch said that this must be decided in Europe. It is regarding a “consistent attitude towards Hungary” – such a position is necessary, he said, but he also expressed sympathy for the idea.
Brunner shows understanding
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), who is considered a possible candidate for the post of the next EU Commissioner, was more cautious in his comments. He said on Tuesday in Brussels that he “naturally understands the European Commission’s desire to send a signal here.” The events of the last few days and weeks were bilateral visits, said Brunner, referring to Orbán’s controversial trips.
“On the other hand, it is regarding the future of Europe. And I assume that Hungary will also put the European idea at the forefront,” said Brunner. It is regarding advancing the pressing problems of the European Union, such as competitiveness, and also continuing to work with the Hungarian presidency. Brunner did not say whether he would attend the informal meeting of finance ministers himself. The federal government would discuss a common line. Brunner called for a rapid nomination of the Austrian commissioner, “so that there is also a corresponding portfolio left for Austria at the end of the day.” Brunner said he greatly respected the former vice-president of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas (ÖVP), proposed by the Greens.
Kocher restrained
Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Kocher (ÖVP) stressed that Orban’s bilateral visit was fine – it was clear “that it was bilateral, not on behalf of the EU.” Kocher was cautious regarding whether he would attend council meetings: This always depends on the schedule. On the question of the withdrawal of voting rights, the minister referred to the options that exist at EU level in this regard.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) is sticking to its previous position, according to which it is once morest a boycott of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency in protest once morest the solo actions of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as a spokeswoman told the APA. Last Wednesday, Schallenberg criticized Orbán’s trips, which were described as “peace missions,” in the Ö1 morning journal, including to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, who is subject to EU sanctions. “He did not speak on behalf of the European Union. He has no mandate, no assignment,” Schallenberg emphasized.
Orbán made a trip “at his own expense” that “only concerns Hungary and no one else,” said Schallenberg. Orbán will have to “explain” his trips, which were made without an EU mandate, the foreign minister stressed. “We should draw clear lines, but also keep things in perspective.”
Kickl calls on ÖVP to vote once morest von der Leyen
Image: WHAT/ALEX HALADA
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Image: WHAT/ALEX HALADA
FPÖ Head Herbert Kickl called on the ÖVP to vote once morest the re-election of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Kickl appealed to Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) to condemn the boycott. “Von der Leyen is a symbol and negative figurehead of the undemocratic aloofness of the EU bureaucracy, a deeply undemocratic self-image and a disconnection of the self-appointed elites from the peoples of Europe,” raged Kickl. The EU Commission is “nothing more than the employee of the EU member states, but certainly not their boss.”
Kickl recently founded the far-right group “Patriots for Europe” together with Orbán and the Czech ANO leader Andrej Babiš. Von der Leyen’s re-election is on the agenda in Strasbourg on Thursday. The German CDU politician needs an absolute majority of at least 361 of the 720 MPs.
Von der Leyen reacted on Monday to Orbán’s solo actions in Ukraine policy with a boycott decision. The top German politician announced that no commissioners, but only high-ranking officials, would attend future informal ministerial meetings under the leadership of the current EU Council Presidency in Hungary. In addition, the EU Commission is foregoing the traditional inaugural visit to the Hungarian Presidency, a spokesperson said.
