The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Berlin, where he was welcomed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, the visit did not receive much attention as the relationship between the two countries appears to be frosty. This was the second time in a row that Orban visited Scholz in Berlin without a press conference or military honours, which are typically granted for state visits. Orban’s visit to Germany comes ahead of Hungary taking over the rotating EU Council presidency for the next six months. Although the EU council presidency does not hold much power, it does have the authority to determine which topics are prioritized on the weekly agenda in Brussels, which could be important for Orban’s government.
During his visit, Orban and Scholz attended the Euro 24 Germany – Hungary football match in Stuttgart, where they avoided discussing politics. Orban’s government is likely to focus on key topics during its EU presidency, including the accession of other member states such as Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Orban has shown interest in integrating the Western Balkan states, in part due to his friendship with Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic, who is considered an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Orban has faced criticism from the EU for Hungary’s migration policies and anti-Ukraine stance. Despite the strained relationship, Scholz managed to find time to meet with Orban during a busy day of meetings and events.
Orban’s visit to Germany is part of his broader diplomatic efforts, as he is scheduled to visit Italy to meet with leader Giorgia Meloni next week. The timing of these visits is important as decisions on the top EU jobs are set to be made at the end of the month. At least 15 out of the 27 EU leaders need to support candidates for the next five years. Orban’s interactions with leaders from other EU countries will be crucial in determining the direction of the European Union over the coming years. Despite the lukewarm reception in Berlin, Orban’s efforts to meet with key European leaders reflect Hungary’s strategic positioning within the EU.
Overall, Orban’s visit to Germany and upcoming meetings in Italy signal Hungary’s intent to play a significant role in shaping EU policies. Despite facing criticism for his government’s migration policies and foreign relations stance, Orban is actively engaging with EU leaders to advance Hungary’s interests in the bloc. His discussions with Chancellor Scholz and other European leaders will influence key decisions on topics such as EU enlargement and integration of Western Balkan states. As Hungary assumes the rotating EU Council presidency, Orban’s interactions with EU leaders will be closely watched to assess his government’s priorities and approach to key EU issues.
