After a huge backlash, European Council President Charles Michel has decided to withdraw his candidacy for the European elections and complete his term of office.
"I don’t want this decision to distract us from our mission or undermine this institution and our European project... which I believe must work tirelessly for European unity," explained Michel, admitting that he had underestimated the "extreme reactions" his decision would provoke.
While he had foreseen some backlash due to the "unprecedented - some would say bold - nature of my approach" – he called out the nature of the attacks he faced, both in Belgium and Europe.
"Personal attacks are increasingly taking precedence over factual arguments. I believe this distorts objective democratic discourse," said the former Belgian Prime Minister.
"On a personal level, it brings me to reflect on the meaning and impact of my electoral commitment to which I have dedicated 30 years of my life, not only for me but also for those close to me," he added, without specifying the meaning of his comments.
Possible replacement?
On Friday evening, MR party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez expressed his "respect" but also his "disappointment" following the announcement, saying that his replacement will be appointed "in due course".
"Charles-Michel's decision is that of a man who has devoted his entire life to public service and has decided to step back from this unwavering commitment. It must be met with the utmost respect," Bouchez said.
European Council President Charles Michel delivers a speech at the national New Year congress of French-speaking liberal party MR (Mouvement Reformateur), Sunday 07 January 2024, in Louvain-la-Neuve. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The MR leader also came to the defence of his party colleague. "He did not cheat and did not want to distract the debate from the real issues. His choice should alert us to how public debate is organised today, too often neglecting the fundamental issues."
Orbán's large shadow
Michel's withdrawal comes 20 days after the announcement that he would head the MR list for the European elections on 9 June.
His likely election would have forced him to resign before the end of his term of office - scheduled for 30 November - in order to campaign, or at the latest when would have been sworn in an Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in mid-July.
Critics were quick to accuse Michel of putting his personal interests ahead of the general interest.
Some had raised the risk that the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, could take over the Presidency of the European Council if the EU-27 had not managed to agree on a successor before the end of the Belgian Presidency at the end of June.
Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. Credit: EP Photo
The concern over Orbán's is rooted in the ongoing Hungary-EU dispute over Budapest blocking a €50 billion support package for Ukraine – as well as ongoing EU concerns over the rule of law and democratic backsliding of his government.
However, many observers considered the prospect of Orbán's rise to head of the European Council as unlikely.
In his statement, Charles Michel reiterated he felt that announcing his decision sufficiently early would give the Heads of State and Government enough time to prepare the transition.
Michel therefore pledged "to carry out my responsibilities with total determination until the end of my term of office." At the end of this mandate, he vowed to "take time to reflect on the nature and direction of my future commitment."
