Hungary Proposes New EU Commissioner After Trocsanyi Rejection

Hungary on Monday nominated Oliver Varhelyi, its ambassador to the EU, as its new candidate for a European Commissioner's post, after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen accepted a decision by the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs to block Budapest's previous proposal, Laszlo Trocsanyi.

Budapest's original reaction to the committee's refusal to approve Trocsanyi's nomination was to reject the possibility of a replacement, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed on Monday that the decision to nominate Varhelyi followed a conversation with von der Leyen, who requested a replacement.

Orban further stated that he "will not have anyone pick and choose from Hungarian politicians", adding that "under the circumstances", he can "only propose a technocrat".

Orban's words appeared to reflect increased frustration among the Hungarian government and ruling party, Fidesz, with Trocsanyi's rejection.

Trocsanyi had been slated by von der Leyen to become the EU's Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Commissioner, but his candidature was blocked by the European Parliament committee over concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

Hungary's choice of Trocsanyi had also drawn criticism over his previous work as Orban's justice minister and his alleged role in undermining the rule of law in Hungary.

Senior Fidesz MEP Jozsef Szajer said that the committee's decision was intended "to punish him [Trocsanyi], while he defended the Hungarians by protecting the borders [from migrants and refugees]".

Trocsanyi has described the decision as a "blatant injustice" and said that he is considering taking the case to court.

Hungary's new pick for a commissioner's role, Varhelyi, has spent the majority of his career...

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