Brussels' Bias Exposed: Controversial Hearings Target Hungary
EU Commissioner Hearings Reveal Political Maneuvering as McGrath Skirts Key Questions, Highlighting Double Standards
This week, Brussels has been accused of wielding a "club policy" against Hungary during the hearings for EU Commissioner candidates. While Oliver Várhelyi, the candidate from Hungary, answered all questions posed to him and is being forced into a second round, the Irish justice commissioner candidate Michael McGrath was approved under controversial circumstances by the left majority of the European Parliament. McGrath refused to answer questions related to a suspicious vaccine procurement scandal involving Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Brussels' liberal leadership is accused of sweeping professional qualifications under the rug to appoint individuals who can serve as political weapons against member states like Hungary. This was evident during McGrath's hearing on November 5, where he dodged questions about releasing secretive messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding COVID-19 vaccine procurement. Despite the lack of response from McGrath, the meeting swiftly moved to the next question without resolution.
The controversy centers on text messages between von der Leyen and Bourla discussing a vaccine deal worth over 20 billion euros, allegedly the largest of its kind within the EU. Following revelations of the deal's opaque circumstances, von der Leyen's office claimed the text messages were no longer available. The case, which has caused a split within the Union, is currently under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for potential criminal activity.
Despite McGrath's non-responsiveness on such a critical issue, the left majority in Parliament approved his candidacy. Von der Leyen openly intends to use McGrath as a political tool, expecting him to act as a watchdog against countries perceived as adversaries, such as Hungary. McGrath's first priority as Justice Commissioner will reportedly be to establish a new body to enforce European media freedom laws, which critics argue will be used to target Hungary.
Similarly, while Várhelyi, who was responsible for neighborhood and enlargement policies in the previous term and answered all questions at his competency evaluation, the left-wing MEPs have delayed his appointment by demanding a second hearing. Tamás Deutsch highlighted that these irregularities in the hearings might be directed against Hungarian interests, noting that the European People's Party, led by Manfred Weber—who is reportedly driven by vengeance against Hungary—had prearranged with other left factions to ensure Várhelyi faces a second hearing.
Brussels' liberal leadership is accused of sweeping professional qualifications under the rug to appoint individuals who can serve as political weapons against member states like Hungary. This was evident during McGrath's hearing on November 5, where he dodged questions about releasing secretive messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding COVID-19 vaccine procurement. Despite the lack of response from McGrath, the meeting swiftly moved to the next question without resolution.
The controversy centers on text messages between von der Leyen and Bourla discussing a vaccine deal worth over 20 billion euros, allegedly the largest of its kind within the EU. Following revelations of the deal's opaque circumstances, von der Leyen's office claimed the text messages were no longer available. The case, which has caused a split within the Union, is currently under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for potential criminal activity.
Despite McGrath's non-responsiveness on such a critical issue, the left majority in Parliament approved his candidacy. Von der Leyen openly intends to use McGrath as a political tool, expecting him to act as a watchdog against countries perceived as adversaries, such as Hungary. McGrath's first priority as Justice Commissioner will reportedly be to establish a new body to enforce European media freedom laws, which critics argue will be used to target Hungary.
Similarly, while Várhelyi, who was responsible for neighborhood and enlargement policies in the previous term and answered all questions at his competency evaluation, the left-wing MEPs have delayed his appointment by demanding a second hearing. Tamás Deutsch highlighted that these irregularities in the hearings might be directed against Hungarian interests, noting that the European People's Party, led by Manfred Weber—who is reportedly driven by vengeance against Hungary—had prearranged with other left factions to ensure Várhelyi faces a second hearing.
