Hungary was asked to respond with calm consideration to the news about the possible appointment of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as interim president of the European Council. This stance appeared in coverage from RIA News, citing Orbán’s press spokesman Bertalan Havasi.
When questioned about the potential leadership change, Havasi urged observers to remain strategically calm on the issue. He emphasized that national leaders should avoid overreacting to unconfirmed reports and focus on measured, prudent judgment as events develop.
Reports indicating that the current president of the European Council, Charles Michel, would step down in early summer 2024 emerged in a Politico briefing on January 7, with confirmation reportedly coming from Michel’s aides. The briefing suggested Michel plans to run for the European Parliament, a move that would require relinquishing his current post.
If EU leaders fail to reach a quick consensus on a successor to the European Council presidency, Viktor Orbán has been floated as a possible option. This consideration arises because Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union at that time, making Orbán a subject of interest for the role.
Michel himself indicated in June that, before the European Council presidency seat becomes vacant and Hungary begins its term, colleagues would have time to discuss and potentially steer away from Orbán as his successor was elected. The comments underscored the delicate nature of succession planning within the bloc and the sensitivity of member-state influence on leadership outcomes.
Earlier reports also noted Hungary’s position on EU funding, with statements that the EU might impose limits on payments to Ukraine for a defined period. This broader context adds to the strategic considerations that EU leaders weigh when discussing the presidency and related policy alignments.