European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen he was “not aware” of alleged efforts by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government to recruit spies in Brussels, according to a Commission spokesperson.
Várhelyi met with von der Leyen on Sunday, the spokesperson said, days after a report by several media outlets alleged a Hungarian intelligence official disguised as a diplomat had tried to recruit EU staffers as spies during the time Várhelyi was Hungary’s envoy to Brussels. Last Thursday, the European Commission said it would set up a working group to investigate the claims.
In comments to Brussels Playbook, Renew Europe President Valerie Hayer said von der Leyen had “both the responsibility and the power to act” on the reports about Várhelyi, who is now the European commissioner for health and animal welfare.
“From the very beginning, Renew Europe warned against Mr. Várhelyi’s nomination and his close ties to Viktor Orbán’s government,” Hayer said. “His record has consistently shown loyalty to pro-Orbán, not European interests.”
“The latest findings only deepen the concerns … These allegations are extremely serious and must be fully investigated,” Hayer added.
Cristiano Sebastiani, president of Renouveau & Démocratie staff union at the Commission, said that while Várhelyi should be presumed innocent, the institution’s leadership had a responsibility to investigate the allegations “properly and fast” to lift any suspicion “as soon as possible” given the risk of reputational damage. “We cannot have this kind of suspicion,” Sebastiani said.
Várhelyi’s Cabinet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The post Várhelyi ‘not aware’ of Hungary’s alleged attempts to recruit spies in Brussels appeared first on Politico.
