The European Commission president has insisted that a majority must decide the bloc’s common foreign policy
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has insisted it is time for the EU to remove individual member states’ veto power over the bloc’s foreign policy decisions.
Von der Leyen issued the call less than 24 hours after her longtime rival, former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, lost power in the general election to the pro-EU Tisza party led by Peter Magyar.
Orbán, a staunch critic of Brussels, has used the unanimity requirement to block many EU policies during his tenure. In recent months, Budapest has been vetoing the bloc’s €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan to Ukraine, citing Kiev’s reluctance to resume supplies of Russian oil to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline.
Von der Leyen emphasized this on Monday “Moving toward qualified majority voting in foreign policy is an important way to avoid the systemic blockages we have seen in the past.”
The head of the European Commission has long been trying to push through a series of fundamental changes to EU rules to create a two-tier bloc into which Ukraine could be integrated, despite not meeting the common requirement for member states.
EU needs “Use speed now” The defeat of Orbán, who staunchly opposed EU accession, pushed for Kiev to change its rules and end the veto rule in international relations.
Von der Leyen welcomed Magyar’s victory, saying Brussels would engage with his government “From day one.”
“There is still much work to be done as Hungary returns to the European path,” He warned.
According to von der Leyen, what is the mentality of the Commission regarding the Magyars? “Let’s double down on that. If they deliver, we deliver.”
Brussels is currently blocking €35 billion in EU funds for Hungary due to disagreements with Orbán over Ukraine, migration, LGBTQ rights and other issues.
EU diplomats told the Financial Times the bloc expects Magyar to remove a €90 billion loan owed to Kiev and reverse some of his predecessor’s key policies to improve ties between Budapest and Brussels.
The leader of the Tisza party said on Monday he did not intend to veto the funds for Kyiv, but added that Budapest would not participate in the EU loan due to financial difficulties.
Magyar also criticized the idea of Ukraine’s quick entry into the EU while insisting on continued energy cooperation with Russia. Hungary “Will buy crude oil and gas in the cheapest and safest way,” he explained.
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Kremlin reacts to Orban’s defeat in Hungary’s elections
Moscow said it is open to construction “Friendly (and) mutually beneficial relations” With new officials in Budapest.
