1. Make Europe Great Again (but how?)
On the 1st of July, Hungary took over EU Council presidency with a slogan ‘Make Europe Great Again’. The presidency website explains that the motto ‘Make Europe Great Again’ refers to the fact that “member states are stronger together than apart” and “symbolises the perception that Europe can become an independent global player.” The choice of ‘Make Europe Great Again’ surprised many, not for its controversy but for its predictability. The motto itself isn’t controversial; it’s what Viktor Orbán may imply by it.
The Hungarian presidency will focus on seven priorities: a New European Competitiveness Deal, strengthening European defence policy, a merit-based enlargement policy, curbing illegal migration, shaping cohesion policy, a farmer-oriented agricultural policy, and tackling demographic challenges.
While Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will have no formal role in the rotating presidencies, the narrative he creates around the Europeanised version of ‘Make America Great Again’ will greatly influence the public debate in Brussels and capitals till the end of the year. His new ‘Patriots for Europe’ fraction in the European Parliament, and his recent visits to Moscow, Kyiv, Beijing and Washington as the self-declared leader of Europe are one big proof of that.
Words vs actions
Hungarian presidency’s slogan is an ‘overpromise’, said Dr Antonios Nestoras, Deputy Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum, on Euronews ‘BRUSSELS, MY LOVE?’ programme. “We all know that the council presidency is important, but it doesn’t hold enough power. So, it’s more about gaining attention, provoking a little bit the Brussels establishment by imitating Trump, but not really starting a revolution,“ said Dr Nestoras.
The programme of the Hungarian presidency has elements that resonate with broader European values competitiveness, defence, enlargement, minority protection. However, we can agree with the goals, we, liberals fundamentally disagree in how we should achieve them. “If you want to make Europe great again, you must have a strong EU. And what Orbán has been doing for the past decade or so is the opposite of it: bocking significant decisions, weakening our position against Russia and our support for Ukraine,” said Dr Antonios Nestoras.
Merit-based enlargement policy
European enlargement policy is one of the priorities of Hungarian presidency, yet Hungarian Prime Minister has not once created obstacles in the Council for candidate countries’ progress. How do we achieve a merit-based EU accession without turning the process into a political one?
Gradual integration is an ideal solution for merit-based enlargement, as it allows candidate countries to be progressively included in EU policies and institutions based on their preparedness. We advocate for a tailored approach for each candidate country, concrete timelines for accession negotiations, and safeguards against vetoes and blockages – the key factor which undermines the meritocracy of the process. . Implementing fixed milestones, deadlines, and tangible benefits throughout the process can ensure accountability and progress despite political changes.
2. Συνημμένη μελέτη : [Policy Paper 20] Staged Integration for Future EU Enlargement
Renewing the EU Enlargement Project: A Matter of Necessity,
