Hungary's nominated EU Commissioner is proposed to be responsible for health and animal welfare. The rather lightweight responsibility area at EU level led to a hearty laugh in the press conference room when Chairwoman Ursula von der Leyen announced her lineup on Tuesday morning.
That Hungary's Olivér Várhelyi would get a low-key position was nevertheless expected, considering the Hungarian government's many conflicts with Brussels and most of the other EU countries.
At the same time, it is still welcome that animal welfare issues are being highlighted.
"Finally an EU Commissioner responsible for increasing Europe's animal welfare. A shame it ended up with (Hungarian ruling party) Fidesz", writes Swedish EU parliamentarian Emma Wiesner.
Várhelyi will also be responsible for deciding the future of, for example, snus, with a clear order for legislation that "addresses the concern over young people's access to new tobacco and nicotine products".
