In this new edition of The Ring, broadcast from the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs Daniel Freund (Greens) and Sander Smit (ECR) debate the outcome of the Hungarian election and what it means for Europe.
Péter Magyar’s landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections on Sunday has sparked renewed optimism in Brussels. After years of Viktor Orbán’s controversial rule, including numerous vetoes, the change in government has raised hopes that previously stalled EU support for Ukraine may finally be unblocked.
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While the European Union faces increasing global challenges - from Ukraine to the Middle East - its foreign policy responses often appear slow and fragmented, raising doubts about whether its current structure remains fit for purpose.
In this context, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Daniel Freund (Greens) from Germany and Sander Smit (European Conservatives & Reformists) from the Netherlands stepped into The Ring to defend their views on future reforms of the EU.
A central point of the debate was the current decision-making process in the EU, particularly the requirement for unanimity. Resistance from some countries to reform these rules shows how fragmented the bloc is.
What does Orbán’s defeat mean for the future of the EU? Beyond potential improvements in relations with Hungary, the Union still faces a broader question: Does it need radical reform to avoid being sidelined on the global stage?
Freund pointed out that Europe will not have a seat at the global table, as long as it does not speak with one voice.
The absence of unified positions in international conflicts rather gives way to parochial views determined by the individual interests of member states, he said repeatedly.
For Smit, this was a non-starter. He sees especially foreign policy as a sovereign domaine of the members states and questions the efficiency of a "forced unity" on the global stage.
This episode of The Ring is anchored by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
Watch The Ring on Euronews TV or in the player above and send us your views by writing to thering@euronews.com.