Hungary's eurosceptic Orban takes helm of rotating EU presidency

NEWS WIRES

July 1, 2024 at 3:11 a.m.·1 min read

Hungary's nationalist government takes over the European Union's rotating presidency on Monday, which is causing concern among EU lawmakers due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Trump-like call to "Make Europe Great Again", perceived authoritarian tendencies, and his maintenance of ties to Russia despite the war in Ukraine.

Hungary takes over the EU's rotating presidency on Monday, promising to be an "honest broker" despite widespread concerns over what critics see as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly government.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 aiming to transform it into an "illiberal democracy", frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues.

He is also the only EU leader who has maintained ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine. He has refused to send arms to Kyiv and repeatedly slammed sanctions against Moscow over the war.

Budapest insists it is ready to assume "the duties and responsibilities" steering the bloc of 27 countries.

"We will be honest brokers, working loyally with all member states and institutions," Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka said in mid-June as he unveiled the presidency's programme.

They still need parties from at least four other countries to join them.

(AFP)

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