Charles Michel announces he will not stand in European elections after wave of criticism

President of the European Council, Charles Mitchell, announced this Friday afternoon in a message on his Facebook account that he will not run in the European elections in June after a wave of criticism and reproach not only from citizens, but also from continental leaders. And in November he will consider the “nature and direction” of his future commitments.

A few weeks ago, Michel surprised everyone by confirming that he would head the list of his party, the French-speaking liberal MR. Not because of his political aspirations, which he presented as an attempt to deepen the legitimacy of institutions, but because it meant leaving the post for which he was elected in 2019 and Re-elected in 2022, six months ahead of schedule, His tenure expires in November, and unlike other short-term positions, a hasty departure would have far-reaching consequences.

After the June elections, the leaders of the 27 will meet in Brussels, possibly in the first days of July, to decide the composition of the next legislature. The Chairman of the Commission will have to be appointed, and there is some doubt that this will happen Ursula von der LeyenWho will make his intention public in Berlin in a few days. Furthermore, a successor to Michel must emerge, as well, who will hold the presidency of the European Parliament for at least the first two 30 months of the legislature and the post of High Representative for Foreign Policy, which he now holds. josep borrell, Mitchell’s departure would inevitably occur in July if elected, but perhaps even earlier if inconsistencies were found in his position as manager of Community Summit, resulting in problems of image, commitment and spontaneity, and the Capitals absolutely did not want it. Was also not liked. But in addition, this decision, considered selfish by politicians, officials and diplomats, brought with it an additional trap: the possibility that Viktor Orbán, who is the Union’s biggest problem at the moment, would eventually take over some of the powers and management of the European Union. Will take it in your hands. Advice for a while.

The rules state that in the event of a vacancy, the Prime Minister of the country that holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU in that semester will take charge of the preparation and coordination of the summit. And from July 1 it will be exactly Hungary. That prospect provoked an angry reaction and led to Mitchell being publicly and privately rebuked. His first reaction was surprising. In a meeting with a group of European correspondents, including EL Mundo, the day after confirming his candidacy, Michel said that His colleagues had plenty of time to think about his replacement., And if they did it right, they could have him ready to chair the summit in early July, before the minutes were collected, and thus the successor would immediately take over the leadership. And even so, he said publicly, if leaders don’t want to take any risks, they have six months to change the rule, which requires not unanimity but a qualified majority. .

That attitude sealed his fate. National governments believe that it was a mistake, a carelessness, a lack of respect And commitment. Contrary to Belgium’s defensive claim when it says that “Europe has not been free from these challenges that directly affect our citizens. Running as a candidate, especially for the President of the European Council, is a matter of responsibility. The task is – and there is a risk – that from within the European Parliament, the intention is to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European project”.

However, after a few weeks, and at the same time as an extraordinary European Council is being finalized, the only point on the agenda of which is to persuade viktor orban Belgian politicians have retreated to repeat the veto imposed in December on the review of the Community budget and the establishment of a mechanism to provide Ukraine with financial aid of up to 50 billion euros. Despite this fact, he reiterated in his farewell message, the legal services had supported his claims and his aspirations are not much different from those of commissioners who have begun to seek lives elsewhere. Vice President Frans Timmermans went on to lead the Dutch Socialists. Vice President Vestager attempted to assume the presidency of the EIB. And another Belgian, didier rendersThe justice chief and Michel’s great rival within the French-speaking liberal party will ask for leave of absence to try to become head of the Council of Europe, which is not a Community institution.

“My decision attracted intense media attention and speculation. Given the unprecedented – some would say courageous – nature of my approach, I had some apprehensions. It also led to extreme reactions – not within the European Council but outside it – Faced with the prospect of taking part in the European elections, shortening our mandate and bringing forward the mandate of our successor by a few months, I do not want this decision to distract us from our mission or to harm this institution and our European project. In any way unfairly used to divide the European Council, I believe it should strive tirelessly for European unity. I welcome all criticism Legitimate policies and arguments (…) But for all these reasons, and to maintain the focus of my mission, I will not be a candidate in the European elections. I will devote all my efforts with determination till the completion of my present responsibilities. I will always be a passionate defender of a democratic Europe, strong, united and master of its own destiny. At the end of this mandate, I will consider the nature and direction of my future commitments,” he told the social network.