It is “fatal to pretend that you are the only one who is for peace,” former EU MP Othmar Karas (ÖVP) said sharply on “ZiB 2” on Tuesday evening. He referred to the self-proclaimed ‘peace missions’ of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Orbán exaggerates himself when he portrays himself as an angel of peace, criticized Othmar Karas (ÖVP) on his last day as EU representative. Other people in Europe would campaign for peace in the same way. The Hungarian politician sends out two more “fatal signals”, namely that he fights against liberal democracy and pretends to speak for the entire European Union, even though he is not its president. “Orbán cannot do what he wants”, Karas said in an interview with Armin Wolf.
He therefore understands Parliament and the Commission, which are currently demanding consequences. It is necessary to have discussions.
Expect a majority for Von der Leyen
Regarding the vote on the designated President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (on Thursday, footnote), the ÖVP politician stated that he expected a clear majority. He attributed this to commitments from the Conservatives, Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals.
Karas himself has been a member of the European Parliament since 1999. For over 450 million people, daily work is about compromises, he reflected. He never reduced his work to party politics or individual interests. “I am not a talking puppet for party tactical considerations.”
The 66-year-old sees the fact that he received cross-party approval as a confirmation of his previous work. He always made himself available when it strengthened the center and the cohesion of the people.
Duel for a new job with Brunner?
As for Karas’ own future, his name has been repeatedly floated as a new EU commissioner in recent months, for example by the Greens and NEOS. Johannes Hahn had already announced that he would no longer seek a fourth term. “If I am nominated, I am available,” Karas said on Tuesday evening.
He noted that the ÖVP might prefer the current Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, saying that government experience is not a prerequisite for the job. The focus would be on skills and good solutions, not on the name itself. However, he pointed out that the decision would primarily lie with the Federal Government and the National Council. He could not yet say whether he would hold the office for the full five years. Because that depends on what happens in the coming years.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
