The MEPs did not accept the Hungarian candidate Olivér Várhelyi as Commissioner for Animal wellness and Welfare. Left-wing parliamentarians attacked him with a stance on abortion, although this issue is not within the competence of the European Commission. A Hungarian politician will gotta answer a number of questions in writing.
Várhelyi, at a proceeding in the European Parliament on 6 November, promised to address the Critical Medicines Act and make the European wellness Union, while at the same time focusing on illness prevention. He said he wanted access to critical treatments and drugs to be assured. Unfortunately, he has committed himself to implementing the concept of "One Health", which besides includes human, animal and environmental wellness and climate protection.
Várhelyi planned to propose a fresh European biotechnology act and launch a review of EU government on medical devices. He wanted to introduce a more stringent approach to tobacco legislation. He stressed the importance of clear food labelling and proposed mandatory indication of the origin of food, e.g. meat reared in a laboratory. He promised to retreat cages for animals.
After more than 3 hours of hearing, the Commissioner's candidate was not accepted by Euro MPs due to the deficiency of a "guarantee" on abortion. Renew Group Euro MPs mentioned the request to combat antimicrobial opposition and uncommon diseases and to increase vaccination coverage. They accused the candidate that he lacked commitment to animal welfare and made no concrete proposals.
"We note that Mr Várhelyi's replies did not meet Renew Europe's expectations, so we conclude that we cannot support his nomination at this stage," said the group in a press release after the meeting. On social media, left-wing MEPs claimed that the main problem was the deficiency of guarantees for abortion.
Euro MPs associated with Socialists and Democrats (S&D) pointed out that the Hungarian candidate was besides focused on business and not adequate on animal welfare. In addition, "he did not keep his promises regarding women's wellness and reproductive rights". Prior to the hearing, MEP Christophe Clergeau pressed for a commitment to defend the alleged reproductive rights throughout the EU, including the right to abortion and the fight against discrimination against transgender persons. The Hungarian candidate besides did not like the Greens who accused him of being "concrete" and "ambiguity".
Várhelyi is the only incumbent delegate commissioner whose candidacy was not approved after the first hearing. He is expected to answer the questions of Euro MPs in writing by 11 November. The coordinators will then meet again and, if they do not take a decision, a full committee vote will be held, which will require a simple majority vote to approve the candidate.
Another Hungarian MP Csaba Dömötör associated with the Patriots for Europe group believes that the European People's organization (EPP) and left-wing parties decided to argue Várhely before the hearings and this had nothing to do with his competence or expertise. This is simply an objection to the Hungarian Government.
The politician added that the issue of access or opposition to abortion was not the work of the European Commission and that policy in this area had not changed in Hungary for respective decades. The abortion is governed by the 1992 Law on the Protection of Fetal Life. According to her, abortions are allowed until the fetus reaches 12 weeks. In uncommon cases the limit may be increased to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The rights were not changed, although the government organised a run to advance the right to life and approved an action plan to defend the family, aimed at expanding the national birth rate. The law granted individual hospitals the right to refuse abortion. In 2022, the government introduced a law on compulsory ultrasound examination, according to which women wishing to kill their children must perceive to the heartbeat of the fetus before they end his life.
The number of abortions has fallen in fresh years and fertility rates have increased, but not to a level that guarantees replacement for generations. Hungary is facing a bleak demographic future, as are many another countries in the world.
Source: brusselsignal.eu
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