EU Council President Charles Michel has withdrawn his candidacy for the upcoming EU elections. Michel announced on Facebook on Friday evening that he would “not be a candidate in the European elections”.
The 48-year-old announced at the beginning of January that he would lead the list of the liberal Belgian party Mouvement Réformateur (MR) in the elections on June 9. His decision caused an uproar and led to speculation. Michel now spoke of “personal attacks”.
Strong criticism of Michel
Michel’s plans had provoked fierce criticism. If elected, he would have to resign from his position as President of the EU Council early. Under EU rules, the head of state or government of the member state currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU would take over from Michel at the end of November – and from July onwards this will mainly be Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. , who took over after Russia’s invasion of the EU. Ukraine still maintains close ties with the Kremlin.
The candidacy also raised questions about a possible conflict of interest, as Michel would participate in an election campaign as a party politician and at the same time serve as head of a council composed of leaders of different political groups.
Future of EU people open
“I will devote myself to my present duties with all my strength and determination until they are completed. “I will always be a fervent supporter of a democratic, strong and united Europe that takes its destiny into its own hands,” Michel said in his statement. “At the end of this mandate, I will reflect on the nature and direction of my future commitments.”
Belgian Michel succeeded Donald Tusk as President of the EU Council in 2019. The position of President of the Council was created about fifteen years ago with the Treaty of Lisbon to give the EU greater visibility. The incumbent president is responsible for preparing and leading the EU summits, for which the 27 heads of state or government usually meet in Brussels.
The European elections will take place from 6 to 9 June. In the world’s largest transnational elections, more than 400 million eligible voters from 27 EU countries elect the 720 members of the European Parliament for a five-year term. After the elections, the heads of the European Commission and the Council will also be replaced.
Source: Krone
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