Democracy Digest: Hungarian Justice Minister, In Charge of EU Negotiations, In Shock Resignation

Evidently, Varga could not convince the EU Commission that Hungary has made enough progress and her resignation could be a sign that PM Vikor Orban has lost confidence in her. However, other factors might be in the background. The Justice Ministry was rocked by a major corruption and money-laundering scandal, as Varga's state secretary was selling lucrative bailiff positions for money. The trial began earlier this year, but Varga claimed she knew nothing of the jiggery-pokery behind her back, which, even if true, would portray her as a weak leader who has no control over her own ministry. Officially, Varga resigned to concentrate on the European election campaign where she is slated to lead the ruling Fidesz party list. She is also tipped by Politico to be Hungary's next European commissioner, although her reputation in Brussels as a hardcore Orban loyalist and outspoken critic of the European Parliament could count against her.

Varga's resignation opens up the question of who will manage Hungary's EU Presidency, starting in July 2024. A team of EU experts has already been working on preparations in the ministry, but Varga's successor, Bence Tuzson, a close ally of Orban, arrives from the prime ministry without any profound knowledge of EU affairs. This brings up the possibility of the government finally creating an EU Ministry, led by a politician who could be more amenable to Brussels.

Also this week, investigative news site Direkt36 revealed how the government secretly agreed with the Chinese to convert the country into a hub of Chinese chemicals production necessary for battery production. According to leaked documents, the project, dubbed the "Europe-China Chemical Trade and Dual HUB System", is about establishing a chemical trade hub in China...