Magyar victory will bring more ‘European unity’, Michel says

The victory of Péter Magyar and his Tisza party is a “very important moment” for the EU and Hungary and a “historic moment” for Hungary, former European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday.

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The arrival of the Magyar, after securing a two-thirds majority in the Hungarian elections, will prompt a change within the European Council and allow the EU to be “more integrated” and “ambitious,” Michel, who is also the former Belgian prime minister, told Euronews’ flagship morning show, Europe Today.

“This is an important step for EU unity,” stated Michel. Yet the fact that outgoing Premier Viktor Orbán will no longer take part in the European Council does not automatically guarantee that meetings will be “easy,” Michel acknowledged.

Michel also said he hoped to see whether what Magyar announced as reforms before the elections “becomes a reality” and whether the new government “manages to put in place” those changes.

Hungary’s role is expected to change, according to Magyar. In his first speech after the results came out, Magyar said that “Hungary will once again be a strong ally representing Hungarian interests.”

As a first move, the Hungarian politician said in his first speech on Sunday that Hungary will join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the body which investigates transnational and complex financial crimes.

One of the first things Magyar wants to tackle is the necessary reforms to unblock the €17 billion frozen by the European Commission due to concerns regarding rule of law in the country ruled until now by Orbán.

“We will bring home the EU funds that are due to the Hungarian people,” said Magyar. But the Tisza leader is aware of the difficulty of getting them unfrozen on time; some of them will be lost after the end of August.

Ukraine is also expected to benefit from Orbán’s defeat after 16 years in power, as the outgoing prime minister was known for blocking a €90 billion loan to Kyiv. This will probably change, Michel stated. “Ukraine deserves our support”, said the former European Council president.