Orban rages about "coalition of lies"
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban expresses anything but joy over the provisional agreement on the distribution of EU-leading positions. Orban calls it a "coalition of lies" and a "shame" towards the European People's Party (EVP), the CDU and CSU.
Viktor Orban, Hungary's Prime Minister, has sharply criticized the provisional agreement on the distribution of EU-leading positions. The deal among Conservatives, Socialists, and Liberals, which includes a second term for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was labeled a "coalition of lies" and a "shame" by Orban on his X Facebook page.
Six representatives from Conservatives, Social Democrats, and Liberals – including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron – had agreed prior to the EU summit, which starts today and tomorrow in Brussels, to propose von der Leyen for a second term as Commission President. Additionally, the former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa is proposed to become the new EU Council President from the Social Democrats, and the liberal Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is set to be the new EU Foreign Policy Chief.
"There is an agreement that I must label shameful," said Orban upon his arrival in Brussels. Most voters in the European election on June 9 voted right and "want a right European leadership." The EVP has, however, "yielded to the left" and "deceived European voters." It is a "coalition of lies and deceit."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also sharply criticized the EU-leading positions' handling and called it a "backroom deal" among a small group of politicians. However, some summit participants showed leniency towards Italy. "There will be no decision without Premier Minister Meloni," said Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer also spoke in favor of "bringing Meloni on board."
- Viktor Orban's discontent with the EU Commission's leadership distribution is not hidden, as he referred to it as a "coalition of lies" during the European elections campaign, aligned with the European People's Party (EVP).
- Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, is facing criticism from several European leaders, including Viktor Orban, who believe that the EU Parliament should have more influence in the selection process.
- Despite Giorgia Meloni's strong criticism of the EU-leading positions' distribution, some influential summit participants, such as Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer, advocate for her inclusion in the decision-making process.
- The European elections results showed a clear right-leaning majority, making it crucial for the EU Commission and EU Parliament to take into account the preferences of the voting population in the selection of the EU Commission President, as many right-wing leaders like Orban and Meloni have expressed their concerns.
