Charles Michel, who leads the European Council, faces the possibility of stepping down from his post earlier than scheduled. His statements were reported by the Belgian portal Sudinfo TASS.
The Belgian politician plans to participate in the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9 as the head of the Reform Movement party. If he wins a seat in the European Parliament, he would resign as president of the European Council, since holding both roles at once runs afoul of EU rules.
“I will carry out my duties as President of the European Council until I take the oath as a member of the European Parliament on July 16,” the official stated. Michel’s term as president of the European Council is set to end in November 2024.
Separately, Péter Szijjártó, who previously served as Hungary’s foreign minister, has been cited among EU leaders supporting sanctions’ proposals. He notes that the bloc is pushing for fresh measures against the Russian Federation to justify decisions that he believes have harmed European economies.
There is ongoing scrutiny of expenses related to Charles Michel’s tenure, with critics questioning the level of spending involved during his time as European Council president. (Source: Sudinfo, EU council communications, and parliamentary records)
In sum, Michel’s political trajectory remains intertwined with the broader EU governance landscape, including leadership transitions, the conduct of sanctions against Russia, and the ongoing balance between national and European responsibilities. The next steps will depend on the outcomes of the forthcoming European Parliament elections and the decisions of EU member states regarding institutional roles.