Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's anticipated address to the European Parliament, marking Hungary's EU Council presidency, has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict. Sources familiar with the matter informed Euronews that parliamentary chiefs were unable to accommodate Orbán's speech in the agenda for the upcoming plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Traditionally, heads of government are given the opportunity to present their agenda and engage with MEPs when their country assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council. Orbán had expressed his willingness to address the Parliament next week, on Tuesday or Wednesday, under the slogan "Make Europe Great Again". However, the Conference of the Presidents, responsible for determining the agenda, stated that there was no available space during that time.

The parliament's tight schedule was blamed on the Council's failure to consider the timing of the European elections, according to insider sources. In comparison to the previous presidency, the newly elected assembly needed time to constitute itself by voting in the president and vice-presidents, which necessitated keeping Tuesday and Wednesday free. Thursday has been reserved for the confirmatory vote on Ursula von der Leyen's reappointment as European Commission president, while Friday was deemed unfeasible for Orbán's address.

Although there is a possibility of a last-minute accommodation, the agenda for next week's plenary will be finalized on Thursday during a conference of the presidents of the parliamentary groups. As a result, the Hungarian presidency is unlikely to present its program to MEPs before September, as per a spokesperson.

In recent days, Orbán has declared himself as the only EU leader maintaining friendly relations with the world's two prominent authoritarian governments. He made unexpected visits to Russia and China to discuss a peace settlement for Ukraine, following his meeting with the Ukrainian president in Kyiv. Orbán's visit to Moscow drew condemnation from Ukraine and other European leaders, but the Hungarian premier justified the trip as an effort to establish dialogue.

No comments were provided by the Hungarian government's spokespersons when approached for clarification on the matter.

(Source: Euronews