Sweden is sending no ministers to Hungary during the Hungarian EU presidency. But that's not enough, according to the Social Democrats.
The Social Democrats are now open to depriving Hungary of the presidency.
The reason is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's "peace trips" to Moscow and Beijing.
"At the same time as Ukrainians are lying in trenches to defend their country's freedom, Prime Minister Orbán is using the Hungarian EU presidency to legitimize Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine by visiting, among other places, Moscow. This is very serious and unacceptable," says S leader Magdalena Andersson in a written comment to TT.
"I expect Ulf Kristersson to now do what he can to get the EU to consider the possibility of terminating Hungary's presidency."
The Swedish government announced on Thursday that no ministers will attend informal meetings in Budapest during the Hungarian presidency. Instead, Sweden will send officials.
This in response to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's "peace trips" to Moscow and Beijing recently.
No Ministers
The government's reaction is good – but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) must go further, according to the Social Democrats. It's not enough to boycott the informal meetings in Budapest, but also the formal ones in Brussels, believes the party's EU policy spokesperson Matilda Ernkrans.
I think it's obvious that Sweden shouldn't send any ministers to upcoming council meetings. I want to see a strong marking from the Prime Minister, she says to TT.
No Swedish ministers at the council meeting. Period.
Hungary, as the presiding country, leads both formal council meetings in Brussels and informal meetings in Budapest from July 1 to the end of the year. At these, EU countries are sometimes represented by ministers, but July is otherwise a month when many are replaced by officials.
"Should Look at It"
Within the liberal group in the EU Parliament, Renew, there are demands to completely deprive Hungary of the presidency.
I think one should look at it too, says Ernkrans, but notes that it's not a question for the parliament.
Kristersson has come out strongly, saying that Orbán is hijacking the EU presidency in the council and using it for his own gain, not to represent the EU.
At the same time, other EU countries' governments, including Malta and Spain, have continued to send ministers to the informal meetings, including a recent environmental minister meeting on Thursday.
As the presiding country in the EU's council, Hungary is arranging a number of informal ministerial meetings in Budapest during the summer:
8–9 July: Trade and industry ministers
11–12 July: Environment ministers
15–16 July: Energy ministers
22–23 July: Home affairs and justice ministers
24–25 July: Health ministers
28–29 August: Foreign ministers
29–30 August: Defense ministers
