“I have three daughters and live with my wife, am I not an ally of women?”

“Why do you think I am not an ally of women? I live with four women, I have three daughters and I live with my wife, don’t you consider me an ally of women? This is how the candidate for repeat as European Commissioner of the Hungarian far-right Viktor Orban defended himself against the accusations of misogyny and the questioning about the right to abortion that he was put to this Wednesday in the European Parliament, where he Gave this exam. On Wednesday he will remain at the European Commission, this time in the animal health and welfare portfolio.

Progressive forces asked him about the LGTBI community and women’s rights, especially regarding abortion in the face of the barriers that his government has placed in Hungary, where there is an obligation to hear the fetal heartbeat first. Due to the fact that he has a wife and daughters, before establishing himself as an “ally” of women, Orbán’s candidacy left abortion legislation on the roof of member states.

“This is a question of constitutional law and human rights, not medicine. It is also a national prerogative, there are no European powers regarding abortion,” he said, adding: “Each Member State adopts a different position. “They are society’s choices and decisions.” What he provided reassurance is that sexual and reproductive rights “are part of human rights” and, when questioned by LGTBI people, he explained that “access to health is a fundamental right” and “gender does not matter. ”

Varhelyi is one of the weak parts of the College of Commissioners that Ursula von der Leyen has drawn up on the basis of the proposals that governments have made to her, despite the fact that she has removed her from the Neighborhoods and Enlargement portfolio, which is one of the One of the most relevant issues in the legislature will be animal health and welfare. But the far-right politician has not been on good terms with MPs, whom he called “idiots” during his previous term.

But the European Parliament’s revenge remains only half-finished. Varhelyi has not been dropped, although he has received a warning. After this Wednesday’s examination, he did not receive the confidence of two-thirds of the coordinators of the committees that examined him, as did the other 15 nominees that have passed through the European Parliament so far. Socialists, liberals, Greens and leftists opposed it going forward. Ultimately, the decision taken was to force them to answer the questions in writing.

“He did not convince us in his first hearing. It appears to be too focused on business, lacks a commitment to animal welfare and does not adhere to standards on women’s health or reproductive rights,” say the Social Democrats, who, in writing, ” Awaiting clarification”. “How can we support a Health Commissioner who is not able to criticize a Member State – his own – which chose Russian and Chinese vaccines against the coronavirus instead of those approved in Europe, who is not able to explain why Isn’t that how it’s happening? Help women in the EU secure access to their sexual and reproductive care and rights, and who claims he is on women’s side because he has four at home? asks Liberal MEP Pascal Canfin.

Once he answers the questions in writing, the coordinators of the parliamentary commissions investigating Varhelyi will have to meet again to see if he passes the filter, which requires two-thirds support. (He has the support of the three forces of the extreme right, but needs more support from the rest of the groups). If he does not achieve that percentage, he will be called for a new oral examination after which he will need the support of two-thirds of the coordinators or, if not achieved, a simple majority of all (no as compared to Yes more) will be required. MEPs from the Commissions involved (Environment and Agriculture).

If rejected, Orbán would have to make a new proposal, which would then be put into the process again. On previous occasions, the European Parliament has always defeated candidates, such as Emmanuel Macron’s last term or the first Hungarian candidate. The problem now is that the launch of the new Community Government, scheduled for December 1, will be delayed (and even more so).