The European Commission is facing a serious crisis of confidence after allegations emerged of the existence of a Hungarian spy network operating from the embassy in Brussels. MEPs are demanding answers about what the Commission knew and whether it covered up the activities of Hungarian agents who allegedly tried to recruit EU officials between 2012 and 2018.
The alleged network, described by former officials as an “open secret” in Brussels, further compromises Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, who was Hungary’s ambassador to the EU at the time. The Commission has confirmed that it is conducting an internal investigation, and that Belgian intelligence services are cooperating in that process.
Várhelyi told Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week that he was unaware of the recruitment attempt, but a growing number of MPs are calling for his resignation if it turns out he was involved. Some, such as The Good Lobby Profs, believe Várhelyi should resign immediately, given the new evidence and testimony from former officials.
The Greens and other political groups in the European Parliament demand the initiation of a parliamentary investigation. MP Daniel Freund claims that even then there were internal reports about recruitment attempts within the EU institutions, but that nothing was done.
– If the Commission knew and did not act, that is a serious omission. If she didn’t know, that’s also a problem – the question arises of the safety of the staff and the system – he said.
Although the Greens, the Social Democrats (S&D) and the centrist Renew are in favor of opening an investigation, the European People’s Party (EPP) has announced that it will oppose the formation of an investigative committee, which significantly reduces the chances of it happening.
Péter Magyar, a political opponent of Viktor Orbán and a former associate in Hungary’s permanent mission to the EU, accused Várhelyi of withholding information from his mandate. He claims that the presence of members of the Hungarian secret service in Brussels between 2015 and 2018 was “common knowledge” among employees.
Former minister János Lázár, who was then in charge of the Hungarian intelligence services, said:
“If our agents went to Brussels, I would not punish them, but praise them. That is my duty — to protect the country.”
In addition to questions about a possible cover-up of espionage, there is also the question of why Commission President Von der Leyen once again supported Várhelyi’s nomination as commissioner, despite earlier ethical controversies. Multiple sources claim she pressured MPs to get Várhelyi accepted, even though many expressed doubts about his eligibility.
The commission is currently refusing to comment on specific allegations, but has emphasized in earlier statements that it takes seriously any threat to the integrity of its institutions and that it is committed to protecting personnel, information and networks from illegal attempts to gather intelligence.
While the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether this scandal will develop into a wider political crisis for the European Commission – and what the consequences will be for Várhelyi, von der Leyen and the EU’s relationship with Viktor Orbán’s government.
(Vijesti.ba)
