MEP Committee declines approval to Hungarian EU commission nominee
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MEPs declined to give approval to Hungary’s candidate to join incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s top team, instead asking the longtime diplomat to answer additional questions in writing.
POLITICO reports that the decision by members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs not to green light Olivér Várhelyi for the neighborhood and enlargement post creates another headache for von der Leyen and casts more doubt on the incoming Commission’s chances of taking office on December 1 — already a month later than planned.
Committee members representing the Greens, Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe and the European United Left/Nordic Green Left asked for the extra questions, while the other political families backed the Hungarian for the commissioner post, officials said. Those voting in favor of the Hungarian candidategarnered30 votes, falling short of the required two-thirds to approve a future commissioner.
The decision followed a three-hour hearing in which Várhelyi told MEPs that he will act independently of the Hungarian government.
Currently Hungary’s ambassador to the EU, the candidate faced tough questions on the future of EU enlargement policy. At the same time, some critics say the portfolio is not suitable for a Hungarian nominee because of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s stance on a number of issues.
