European Commission says it cannot strip Hungary of its EU presidency

The European Commission has said that it cannot legally deprive Hungary of the presidency of the EU Council, but it can boycott it. Vera Jourova, vice-president of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, said this in an interview with Suspilne.

Jourova noted that as a lawyer she can assert - Hungary can not be striped of the presidency of the Council of the EU.
"There is no possibility to do that. However, we can boycott and openly show that we disagree with Mr. Orban's policies. We are doing this now, and we are gradually preparing for the Polish presidency, which starts after the New Year,” the official said.

She emphasized that despite his actions, Viktor Orban will not be able to cause harm within the EU.

“The Hungarian presidency falls at a time when the Council will not take any key decisions, because we are at the beginning of the legislative period, of changing mandates in the institutions,” Jourova said.

Hungary's presidency of the EU Council, which began on July 1, is supposed to last six months, but the term is not actually firmly fixed.

Related Articles Finland refused to participate in informal EU meetings in Hungary European Parliament President welcomes Armenia’s desire to enhance relations with EU Former French Ambassador to Armenia, Jonathan Lacôte, to continue diplomatic mission in Hungary European Council appoints Magdalena Grono as EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Latvia MFA welcomes EU visa liberalization dialogue with, European Peace Facility support to Armenia Al Jazeera: Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip kill 48 people MEPs call to strip Hungary’s EU voting rights amid Orbán’s ‘peace missions’ - POLITICO European Parliament MP calls Orban's participation in the summit of Turkic States in Shushi “a shame” Hungary PM Orban arrives in Beijing We will protect inviolability of Armenia's borders: Chairman of Helsinki Commission