Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday said the reason behind the European Parliament’s legal committee finding a conflict of interest related to Hungarian MEP László Trócsányi’s candidacy for EU commissioner was that the former justice minister had helped protect Hungary from migration.
Orbán Expects ‘Hot Moments’ On EC-nominee Trócsányi’s Hearing
On Thursday, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) established that there was a conflict of interest between Trócsányi’s candidacy and law firm Nagy and Trócsányi’s receiving orders from the Hungarian state.
MEPs Reject Hungarian EC-candidate Trócsányi over ‘Conflict of Interest’
In an interview to public broadcaster Kossuth Radio, Orbán praised Trócsányi as an internationally respected legal expert and experienced diplomat, calling him the “most qualified” candidate for European commissioner.
“But he committed a crime” by helping the government protect Hungary from migration, Orbán said. It was with Trócsányi’s help that the government had drafted the legislation that prohibits anyone from entering Hungary’s territory illegally, without the proper documents, the prime minister added.
“And they’re now rubbing his nose in it,” Orbán said. He called it a “sly move” on the EU’s part that the vote against Trócsányi had happened in the legal committee and not in the one in charge of Trócsányi’s designated portfolio of neighbourhood and enlargement.
Manfred Weber Calls for ‘Fair Assessment’ of EC-nominee Trócsányi
Orbán said he had spoken with European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, agreeing with her to wait for the legal committee to issue a written opinion on the matter.
He said he is looking ahead on the matter and has “a second, a third and a fourth solution” ready.
Featured photo illustration via Viktor Orbán’s Facebook page