By Martin Banks

MEPs will this week discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July.

The meeting, the highlight of the week, takes place in Strasbourg where MEPs hold their monthly plenary.

However, criticism of Hungary’s EU presidency threatens to overshadow the event.

Speaking ahead of the plenary, Iratxe Garcia Perez, leader of the Socialist group in the parliament, is particularly critical.

The Spaniard said that a rotating presidency should “work for the prosperity of our Union and on our core values.”

She added, “Orbán represents everything that goes against it, and he is demonstrating this again and again throughout the Hungarian rotating presidency.”

The veteran MEP went on, “He talks about a ‘new European Competitiveness deal’ but he has turned Hungary into the most corrupt country in the EU.

“He shakes hands with the enemies of our Union and works in favour of Russian and Chinese interests. 

“Instead of supporting democracy and the well-being of citizens, he consistently threatens their rights and undermines media freedom,” said the S&D leader.

Further comment comes from Manfred Weber, a German MEP and leader of the EPP Group.

Weber said, “We are ready to confront Viktor Orbán about what he and his Government are doing as the Hungarian Presidency of the EU.”

Elsewhere, Parliament will also debate the state of what a parliament spokesman called “Georgia’s declining democracy and Russian attempts to interfere in Moldova’s presidential elections.”

With high-profile trials ongoing in Italy and France on cases of women murdered and repeatedly assaulted by their partners, MEPs will additionally discuss with the Commission the need to fight the problem of gender-based violence.

At the start of the session, Metsola, a Maltese MEP, will make a statement on the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023 and triggered the war in Gaza. The session will then start with a debate on the anniversary.

On Tuesday morning, MEPs will debate the escalating violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Metsola will meet French Minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, and address an event marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

Michael Gahler, the EPP Group’s spokesman on Foreign Affairs, commented, “One year after the despicable terrorist attacks against Israel, we mourn all the innocent victims and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

In what is a particularly busy week in Strasbourg, MEPs will also discuss with the Commission how to encourage public and private investment in decent and affordable housing in Europe.

On this Garcia Perez says that the cost of living has become citizens’ main concern in Europe.

She said, “Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe has been one of the progressives main priorities in recent months. We successfully established a dedicated portfolio for housing under an EU Commissioner and launched an initiative for a new special committee on housing in the European Parliament.

“Now, it’s time to address the problem of housing with an affordable European housing plan to boost investment and protect our citizens from rising costs.We are working tirelessly for affordable housing for everyone.”

Dennis Radtke, the EPP Group’s spokesman in the Social Affairs Committee,noted,“The EU can play a critical role in tackling structural inequalities and ensuring that affordable and decent housing becomes and remains a reality for all.”

Later in the week, MEPs are due to debate the challenges faced by the automotive sector in the EU and how to restore the competitiveness ans discuss the implications for the future of the Schengen area of the reintroduction of border controls by Germany plus the role of the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency.