Charles Michel, the current European Council president, has declared his intention to step down early from his position to contest the upcoming European Parliament elections scheduled for June 2024.
“I’ve decided to stand as a candidate for the European elections in June 2024,” Michel announced to Belgian media, sparking speculation about the future leadership of the European Union as negotiations for top positions commence in November when Michel’s official mandate concludes.
The 48-year-old former Belgian prime minister, who has served as Council president since 2019, highlighted his responsibility to provide an account of his work over the past four years and propose a vision for Europe’s future.
Michel, a member of the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) party, will lead the party’s list in the European Parliament elections, planning to relinquish his Council presidency in July.
Michel’s tenure as Council president has been marked by overseeing critical EU summits addressing challenges such as the Covid pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He emphasized his commitment to continuing his role until being sworn in as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) on July 16, following which a Council meeting will determine the timing of his successor.
The decision faced criticism from various quarters, including members of Michel’s own political alliance.
The move prompts questions about the succession plan, as per EU procedures, with the national leader of the country holding the EU’s rotating presidency expected to assume the role until the November elections.
This would place Hungarian nationalist Viktor Orban in a significant position, raising concerns due to his close ties with the Kremlin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Michel expressed optimism that the standard procedures could be altered through a “simple majority” vote, countering potential objections. Dutch MEP Sophie in’t Veld, representing the liberal centrist Renew Europe party, criticized Michel on social media, comparing his departure to “the captain leaving the ship in the middle of a storm” and questioning his commitment to the European Union.
The European Parliament elections, spanning June 6 to 9 across the 27 EU member countries, are expected to trigger intense negotiations for top positions within the European institutions, including the European Commission and European Council. With 720 deputies to be elected, the outcome will shape the future direction of the European Union.
