Hungary, which has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) from Belgium until the end of 2024, plans to carry out this task with the slogan “Make Europe Great Again’’. The rotating presidency of Hungary, which is almost an “other” within the EU, has caused the EU’s concerns to increase.
There are many factors why Hungary is ‘the other of EU’. First of all, its relations with Russia and China is much higher than other EU members. In Russia-Ukraine war, the EU’s late implementations of sanctions towards Russia and blocking the military aid for Ukraine caused a reaction from part of the EU. Besides that, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to China and Russia, has caused great inconvenience for the EU. Ambassadors of the EU countries have condemned Orban’s unexpected meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the grounds that it harms the unity of 27 member states. [i] In additionally, Hungary has been criticizing by EU, for the reasons that not applying the EU’s Law and violate the ‘rule of law’ principle.
The other problem that increase tension between EU and Hungary are immigration and refugee policy. Because of the Hungary location in Central Europe, is at the transit point for asylum seekers. This situation has made Hungary an open country for asylum seekers. Hungary has also criticized by the EU over its migration policies. Hungary’s harsh policies on migrants have complicated the EU’s efforts to implement common migration policies. As a precaution against irregular migration, Hungary has reinforced law-enforcement forces on its borders and erected barbed wire fences on the border with Serbia and Croatia. Hungary has also increased the penalties imposed for illegal immigration. It has been legislated to deport refugees caught inside the country and for asylum seekers to stay in camps set up at the borders during the asylum application process. The EU reacted strongly to this situation and sued Hungary in 2018, cited that Hungary’s actions did not comply with the Migration and Asylum Act. The European Court of Justice has invited Hungary to implement the laws. However, in June 2024, Hungary was fined 200 Million Euros for not complying the 2020 decision. [ii] During the whole process, The Hungarian Prime Minister criticized the EU Migration and Asylum Law.
So, what is the importance of presidency of the council of the EU and why EU that much worried about Hungary’s presidency? In fact, the EU presidency does not have a mission that will affect the EU’s decision-making mechanism in a critical sense. State that holds the presidency, is important in mediating and establishing dialogue between the 27 EU member states. Considering Hungary’s contradiction within the EU, how it will behave in situations requiring mediation and dialogue during its presidency causes concern on the part of EU countries.
Another situation that causes concern is whether Hungary can influence the ongoing negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova with the EU. Considering Hungary’s relations with Russia, this situation may affect the negotiations. As a matter of fact, Hungary abstained in the EU Commission vote to start negotiations with Ukraine in December. In addition, Hungary’s Permanent Representative to the EU has announced that he will not support the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.
During The Hungarian Presidency, it plans to turn to the Western Balkan Countries at the point of EU enlargement. Hungary planning to work out a summit with Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. [iii] Hungary’s approach can be seen as it hopes to get support from the Countries of Western Balkans. Considering Hungary’s position in EU, its support for the Westerns Balkan States may increase support for Hungary within the Union in their possible accession to the EU.
Another EU concern about Hungary is the rise of far-right parties in the recent European Parliament elections. Orban’s far-right and nationalist approach and his policies in this regard within his own country, causes concern that he may fallow such a policy within EU as well. Since he will be the rotating President, the far-right wing in the parliament will be in a strong position.
According to latest developments, the EU plans to boycott the Hungarian foreign affairs summit in Budapest on August 28-29,2024. Although Orban’s visit to Putin was instrumental in the boycott decision, such a decision has never been taken against any country in the history of the EU before. Hungary’s contrary attitudes compared to other EU countries, increase the EU’s concerns. Due to this situation, the EU has taken the path of taking many measures, including fines. However, the fact that the EU even considered giving Hungary’s rotating presidency to Poland by passing it on shows that it does not treat every country equally. The decision to boycott the summit in Budapest is an example of this. While the EU is taking such a hard line against Hungary, it is becoming difficult to say that it is equal to every country in the Union. On the other hand, Hungary’s incompatible actions to the EU policies, making difficult its place and support within the Union. This six-month presidency of Hungary is an opportunity to change its contrary attitude within the Union. We will see better in the next six months how Hungary will take this opportunity.
[i] “AB ülkelerinin büyükelçileri Rusya ve Çin’i ziyaret eden Macar lideri Orban’ı kınadı”, Dünya, https://www.dunya.com/dunya/ab-ulkelerinin-buyukelcileri-rusya-ve-cini-ziyaret-eden-macar-lider-orbani-kinadi-haberi-736246, (Date of Access: 13.07.2024).
[ii] Melike Pala, “AB mahkemesi, Macarisan’a iltica sistemi nedeniyle 200 milyon avro ceza verdi”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/ab-mahkemesi-macaristana-iltica-sistemi-nedeniyle-200-milyon-avro-ceza-verdi/3248750, (Date of Access: 13.07.2024).
[iii] Emrah Dokuzlu, “Yeniden Büyük Avrupa Macaristan’ın başkanlığındaki Avrupa’yı neler bekliyor?”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/analiz-yeniden-buyuk-avrupa-macaristanin-baskanligindaki-ab-yi-neler-bekliyor/3262712, (Date of Access: 15.07.2024).
