Macron to host Orbán as tensions rise over Hungary's EU presidency

On October 22 evening, French President Emmanuel Macron will host Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the Élysée Palace.

The meeting between Macron and Orbán comes ahead of the European Political Community summit and an informal meeting of EU leaders scheduled to take place in Budapest on November 7-8, Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

The French side emphasized that this visit, occurring during Hungary's current rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, will provide an opportunity to prepare for the two summits.

During a working dinner, both leaders are expected to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of energy, defence, and transportation.

It is worth noting that at the beginning of November, Manfred Weber, the chairman of the largest political group in the European Parliament, the European People's Party, referred to Hungary's presidency in the EU Council as a "complete failure."

Additionally, German Member of the European Parliament Daniel Freund criticized the convening of an EU Council meeting on supporting democratic standards under Hungary's presidency, which, he argued, violates those very standards.

The latest report from the European Commission on the rule of law raised concerns about Hungary, which has largely failed to implement previous recommendations.

By Khagan Isayev