Strasbourg – There was an uproar in the European Parliament on Valentine’s Day.
Hungary’s European Commissioner Oliver Varhely is facing calls to resign after a microphone in parliament called MEPs “idiots” during a question-and-answer session on Tuesday with lawmakers from the western Balkans.
“How many other idiots are there still?” Varelli, who is in charge of the countries’ bid to join the European Union, can be heard saying on the hot mic.
Varheli already has one Prestige for being rude and aggressive towards staff, and MEPs last month called on the Commission to investigate him Posture On Serbian nationalists.
Following his comments, MEPs reacted furiously, demanding his dismissal and calling for a strong response from Várhelyi’s boss, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
“He should resign,” Green MP Daniel Freund told POLITICO.
non-apology apology
Verhely eventually statement on Wednesday in which he did not apologize, but instead wrote: “I sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding regarding my remarks.”
The commissioner said he was taken out of context as his remarks were part of a separate conversation with the person sitting next to him during the debate.
“This was linked to a private and ongoing conversation in Hungarian between me and my cabinet chief on a completely different matter, which was taken out of context. I apologize for any possible misunderstanding about ,” Varhely wrote. “I have the utmost respect for all the institutions of the European Union, including the European Parliament and its honorable members.”
MEPs were not impressed by the original comment or clarification.
“Varelli had his chance to apologize – and he missed it. He cannot just tell MEPs ‘you heard wrong’ and move on. There must be consequences,” Freund said.
Just before Varhelyi spoke at the plenary session, Croatian centre-right MEP Tomislav Sokol was asked what the commissioner intended to do about Serbian interference in other western Balkan countries and closer cooperation with Russia.
Before Varhely released his statement on Wednesday, Sokol told POLITICO: “It incensed the commissioner. He insulted not only me but all the members of the European Parliament who took part in the discussion.
“The least he can do is issue a public apology to me and to all members of the European Parliament. At the same time I would like him to take a clear and fair stand towards Serbia.
Other MEPs stepped forward and demanded Verhely’s sacking.
“This is an unprecedented and grave disrespect to the Parliament. “We are convinced that the European Parliament should demand the resignation of Commissioner Varhely,” Hungarian Socialist and Democrat Group MEP Csaba Molnár wrote in an email to all MPs on Tuesday evening and seen by POLITICO.
The centrist Renew Europe group was also incensed. “We demand an immediate apology from the commissioner; We call on the Speaker of Parliament not to allow Commissioner Vareli in our chambers until an apology is issued,” said Katalin Cseh, Hungarian MEP from Renau.
A spokeswoman for European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told POLITICO: “We have asked the services to look into this.”
Investigation? No.
Hungarian commissioners were already under Pressure from the European Parliament, which called in January for an “independent and impartial investigation” over his alleged support for Serbian nationalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Centre-left Socialist and Democrat group.
Von der Leyen’s chief spokesman, Erik Mamer, said, “There are no plans to investigate into the Serbian angle.”
On the “idiots” remark, Mamer said: “The President, as you know, expects all members of the College to show the utmost respect for the Institutions and their members and, therefore, takes note of the apologies and clarifications he has issued.” By the Commissioner.
Verelli was appointed to his role in October 2019 nominated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Prior to joining the von der Leyen College of Commissioners, Varhelyi served as Hungary’s ambassador to the European Union.
Wilhelmin Preussen, Jakob Hanke and Lili Bayer contributed reporting,