EU’s Michel downplays criticism of his plan to resign early

European Council President Charles Michel downplayed on Sunday criticism of his plan to resign early to run for a seat in the European Parliament, saying there was plenty of time to choose his successor and the EU had options to “avoid Viktor Orban”.
Michel, a former Belgian prime minister, announced on Saturday that he had decided to run in the EU’s parliamentary elections in June. That would see him leave his role as chief of the European Council, the group of government leaders of the 27 EU member states, before his term expires at the end of November.
As Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU from July to December this year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban could end up leading meetings if an interim successor is needed. Orban has opposed many EU initiatives to support Ukraine and has been widely criticised for undermining democratic rights in Hungary.
Michel’s resignation comes at a critical moment for EU diplomacy as the bloc struggles to maintain momentum and support for Ukraine, handle a fracturing Middle East and disputes with China.