Hungarian government reaffirms support for Várhelyi as Commissioner candidate

Brussels – Olivér Várhelyi has joined the list of Commissioner candidates in the new Commission that will once again be led by Ursula von der Leyen. On July 29, the Hungarian government confirmed his nomination for another five years at the Berlaymont. Budapest’s decision could face significant resistance in Brussels, due to concerns on both the portfolio to be assigned to Hungary in the new Commission and the choice of Várhelyi himself, who has been at the center of multiple controversies during his current term.

“Following my recent phone consultation with President von der Leyen, my candidate remains Olivér Várhelyi,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on X. Orbán praised Várhelyi for demonstrating over the past five years “that the EU can be a positive force in its neighborhood and beyond,” expressing confidence in his ability to deliver “excellent work in the next Commission.” Von der Leyen requested that Member States submit their commissioner candidates by August 30, with a preference for one man and one woman, except where outgoing commissioners are being reappointed. Shortly after his nomination, Várhelyi thanked Orbán for the “immense honor” of being selected to continue serving as Hungary’s representative in the European Commission and emphasized his commitment to “shared work with President von der Leyen.”

Despite this nomination, Várhelyi’s confirmation for another term is far from guaranteed, particularly in light of Hungary’s controversial role within the EU. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent EU membership applications from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, the issue of enlargement has become one of the most sensitive and significant on the EU agenda. Hungary, under Orbán’s leadership, has consistently proven to be a problematic actor in this regard. Budapest has sought to block Ukraine’s accession negotiations, taken ambiguous stances on Russia’s aggression, and opposed sanctions on Serbia and Republika Srpska, the Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to its close ties with illiberal regimes. Given the EU’s dual challenge of integrating up to ten candidate countries while simultaneously reforming its institutions, entrusting Hungary with oversight of this critical policy area seems unlikely to be von der Leyen’s preferred choice.

Who is Olivér Várhelyi?

Várhelyi has been one of the most controversial figures in von der Leyen’s Commission. Sources within the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) have reported widespread discontent with his approach and positions. These tensions have also spilled over into his relationship with the European Parliament. In January 2023, MEPs expressed concerns in a plenary report over allegations that Várhelyi had “deliberately sought to sideline and undermine the importance of democratic reforms and the rule of law” in candidate countries. The following month, Várhelyi sparked further outrage when he was overheard muttering, “How many idiots are left?” during a parliamentary debate on strengthening enlargement policy in the Western Balkans.

Before joining the European Commission in 2019, Várhelyi served as Hungary’s ambassador to Brussels under Orbán. Despite the expectation of independence for commissioners, Várhelyi has been accused of advancing Budapest’s interests within the EU. He is suspected of supporting the secessionist agenda of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and obstructing sanctions targeting those responsible for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s democratic and institutional crisis.

His nomination will face scrutiny in the European Parliament, which has the authority to reject individual candidates. Between September and October, parliamentary committees will conduct written and public hearings for all nominees. Should MEPs find Várhelyi unsuitable—either for the enlargement portfolio or another role in the Commission—they could demand that Budapest propose an alternative candidate.