Charles Michel changes his mind about stepping down as EU Council President
27 January 2024 11:37
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has announced his decision not to run for the European Parliament, choosing to focus on his current duties in this position, according to the 
Charles Michel noted that the idea of his early resignation to run for the post had attracted considerable media attention and discussion in political circles.
“My decision should not distract us from our common mission, nor should it undermine this institution or our European project. I do not want this to become a cause for disagreement in the European Council, which must continue its important work to strengthen European unity… For all these reasons, and to maintain the focus of my mission, I will not be a candidate in the European elections,”
– he said.
Michel also noted that at the end of his current mandate, he will consider his future and direction.
“With unwavering determination, I will devote all my efforts to my current duties until they are over. I will always be a passionate advocate for a Europe that is democratic, strong, united and in control of its own destiny. At the end of this mandate, I will reflect on the nature and direction of my future commitments,”
– michel said.
What preceded this decision
Earlier, Charles Michel announced the possibility of leaving his post, as he was considering participating in the European Parliament elections scheduled for June. In the event of his resignation, EU leaders would have had to quickly decide on a successor to avoid a temporary transition period during which the presidency could have been taken over by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
In the EU Council, the presidency rotates among EU members every six months. This would be the first time that a sitting president of the EU Council has stepped down to run for the European Parliament.
According to the calendar, Charles Michel is due to remain in office until the end of November.
After the European Parliament elections, which will take place from 6 to 9 June in all 27 EU countries, European leaders are set to meet on 17 and 27-28 June to decide on Michel’s successor. Usually, the decision to appoint a Council president is the result of lengthy negotiations between political groups after elections.
Hungary, under the leadership of Viktor Orban, has repeatedly opposed initiatives related to Ukraine. In the past, the country has blocked NATO-Ukraine meetings and spoken out against Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance. Despite Orbán’s opposition, EU leaders recently decided to start negotiations with Ukraine on EU accession. Orban left the meeting room at the time, so he did not take part in the vote.
