A left-wing take on the EU leadership deal
July 5th, 2019A leading left-wing commentator condemns European leaders for selecting whom he describes as ‘characterless’ people to the top EU positions. He thinks PM Orbán has a lot to gain from their choice.
On 24.hu, Péter Pető accuses the leaders of Germany and France as well as all those who joined their pact of ‘betraying the European Union’. He argues that the block can only be efficient and competitive in the world if it is led by people who have a serious political vision. The leaders of the major member countries however, he continues, feel safer with pliable figures. This is how Ursula von der Leyen has been chosen as their candidate to lead the European Commission. Pető predicts that Ms Leyen will not be active in demanding rule of law compliance from member states and even if she tries, she will engage in long drawn-out bargaining which is PM Orbán’s favourite playing field. In this sense, the left-wing columnist concludes, pro-government commentators are right in claiming that the deal reached at the EU summit on Tuesday was a victory for the Hungarian Prime Minister.
Tags: Orbán, von der Leyen