On Monday, July 1st, Hungary is taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. While the official priorities of the Hungarian government over the next six months suggest a more diplomatic approach, Viktor Orban and his ministers leave no doubt that they will use the spotlight for political provocations. Furthermore, it is more than likely that Viktor Orban will try to use his powers to unfreeze more than 20 billion Euros of EU funds – currently frozen with multiple rule-of-law-tools. In this press briefing I would like to discuss the potential dangers of the upcoming Hungarian Presidency: What political items can Hungary block? What is Orban’s potential for political blackmail? What actions can be taken by the EU-Commission and the European Parliament?

When and where?

Friday, June 28th, 9h30 am

Zoom (Please register here:)

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuc-ihqDsrG9AxIUIPNSG1pKZI9sVFqZAL