'She’s pushing her OWN agenda' Fury rises in Europe as Von Der Leyen vies for second term
Ursula von der Leyen is vying for a second term in office as President of the European Commission
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Fury is growing in the EU, as Ursula von der Leyen is vying for a second term in office as President of the European Commission.
Hungrary has increasingly been at loggerheads with Von Der Leyen, with President Victor Orban accusing her of "pursuing her own agenda".
While Von der Leyen is thought to be the frontrunner to secure the nomination for another year as President of the European Commission, Orban is hoping to secure a right wing majority and oust the EU chief.
The bloc will go to the polls in less than a year.
Hungrary has increasingly been at loggerheads with Von Der Leyen
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Von der Leyen is at odds with Orban on multiple issues, including Hungary's refusal to sanction Russia.
The country has maintained strong economic ties to the Russian regime, and continues to import pipeline oil and gas from Putin.
Meanwhile, there is a growing perception among Hungarian officials that the Commission forces its policies upon member states.
As a result, Orban's Political Director, Balázs Orban, has warned that Hungary’s support for Von der Leyen is no longer a given.
Spealing to Politico, he said: "We were very supportive of her.
"But now she’s pushing her own political agenda without consulting member states, on geopolitics, relationship with the U.S. and China, on war issues, sanctions."
He accused Von der Leyen of being at the helm of a "divisive" routine, saying that "the way the Commission is operating is not good for unity".
He added: "They come up with a proposal and then put pressure on member states to say yes."
However, Hungary does not have a veto over the election of the next EU commission chief.
As a member of the council, it has a vote on whether Von der Leyen wil have a second term, but EU leaders are not required to reach a unanimous decision.
The Commission president can be proposed to the Parliament with a qualified majority of votes.
The European Parliament will then rubber stamp the decision.
Hungary is hoping to form a right wing majority in the European parliament, with Balázs Orbán optimistically saying: "I think we have a chance, I think it will be very close.
Balázs Orban has warned that Hungary’s support for Von der Leyen is no longer a given.
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"In France, the right will win. In Italy, the right will win, in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the right is going to win, and those are the biggest countries.
"In Spain, it will be close. In all major countries some kind of right is going to win."
However, the center right parties in Poland and Germny have ruled out cooperating with far-right parties, something which Orban admitted would be a problem.