MEPs Call for Resignation of Hungarian Commissioner Várhelyi

Thirty-five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to seek the resignation of Hungarian Commissioner Olivé Várhelyi amid allegations of espionage involving Hungary’s foreign intelligence service. This request follows a joint investigation by multiple European media outlets, which claimed that Hungary’s intelligence agency used its permanent representation in Brussels from 2012 to 2018 as a base for spying on EU institutions and recruiting officials.

The letter, dated March 30, 2023, was signed by MEPs from four political groups: S&D (Socialists and Democrats), Renew Europe, Greens/EFA, and The Left. Várhelyi, who oversees the health and animal welfare portfolio, became the focus of scrutiny when reports emerged indicating that his tenure as Hungary’s ambassador to the EU from 2015 to 2019 coincided with these alleged espionage activities.

According to a statement from the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, President von der Leyen has discussed the allegations with Várhelyi, who claimed he was unaware of any recruitment attempts during his time in Brussels. The MEPs who signed the letter expressed that if the allegations are substantiated, trust in the Commissioner would be severely compromised.

The MEPs referenced Article 17 of the Treaty on the European Union, which grants the Commission president the authority to demand a commissioner’s resignation. Their appeal aligns with a broader call from over 60 academics across the EU, associated with the Good Lobby professors’ network. This group asserts that the alleged actions surrounding Várhelyi fundamentally conflict with the independent role required of all Commissioners, who are expected to act solely in the EU’s general interest rather than representing their member states.

While the European Parliament lacks the authority to compel a single Commissioner to resign, it can initiate a no-confidence vote against the entire European Commission. This has been attempted three times in recent months. Sources within the Parliament suggest that MEPs could still pass a resolution demanding Várhelyi’s resignation, reflecting growing concerns regarding the integrity of the Commission’s leadership.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of these allegations could have significant repercussions for the credibility of the European Commission and the trust of its member states in the governance of the EU.