Charles Michel’s U-turn is a missed opportunity for the European Centre

MEPs, the Brussels media, and much of the EU ecosystem was quick to condemn  Charles Michel for his decision to resign early as president of the Council and run as a list leader of the Reformist Movement (MR). The pressure was so great that Mr. Michel withdrew his resignation and will not stand for the European Parliament. 

Michel dropping out of the parliamentary elections represents a missed opportunity for the European political centre - writes Zsolt Nagy. Instead of rushing to judgement, Michel’s colleagues in the EU should have considered supporting him. He could have been a game-changer in European politics for the upcoming elections.

Harsh criticism of Michel’s resignation came from politicians of various stripes from across the political spectrum. The Belgian politician announced his resignation at the beginning of the year. It shook up European politics, which had already been on high alert because of the upcoming European Parliament election in June. Michel’s critics argued he was prioritising his personal career ahead of his responsibility to see out his term as European Council president. After a few weeks, Michel stepped back and decided to see out his mandate after all. With a little reframing, centre-leaning parties could have gained from Michel’s decision by allowing him to become the face of centrism.

Although there are still a few months until the elections and the official campaign has not started yet, it looks likely that the right – especially the Identity and Democracy group, which is sometimes called far-right and counts Putin among its fans – will gain seats while the Greens and Liberals lose their kingmaker position as well.

The situation in Belgium looks even more dire for centrists. The two parties leading the polls in the Flanders are from the radical-right (VB {ID} and N-VA {ECR}, with the liberals pushed back to second position behind the social democrats in Wallonia. The Brussels region could swing behind the radical left (PVDA-PTB {Left}). Both European and Belgian liberals need help. Charles Michel could be their saviour.

Michel is one of the best-known politicians on both the Belgian and European levels, thanks to the high-profile nature of his most recent role and his many personal accomplishments. After one term leading Belgium and two at the helm of the European Council, he is still only 48 years old; too young for retirement. It is clear he has a vivid vision for Europe which he is yet to realise. He was well-placed to become the face of the European elections. With a prominent campaigning role in the EP election alongside his domestic political reboot, Michel could have helped the European centre save its dominant position within Parliament.

Unfortunately, Michel had many high-ranking and high-profile critics who did not set their anxieties aside and were not able to adopt new rhetoric. They were afraid Viktor Orbán would assume Michel’s old role by default, thanks to Hungary’s place in the rotating presidency coinciding with Michel’s resignation. Realistically, the chances of that happening were always quite low. Member states could have easily appointed a filler candidate for a few months if push came to shove.

So instead of making public statements which accuse Michel of betrayal and catastrophise the EU’s immediate future, Michel’s detractors could have encouraged voters that he would have brought new dynamism to the European Parliament as a parliamentarian himself, helping to stop the rise of the far-right.

The EU’s ruling class, especially the liberal faction, should have seen this move as a new opportunity to give their campaign a face – even a spitzenkandidat – making it all the more compelling and helping to hold back the radical right parties. A young, talented and experienced politician like Michel, who is more than capable of standing up for liberal ideas and acting as a moderator and peacemaker in fights over key issues, is arguably exactly what the EP needs. 

Now, the Union has an EC president whose legacy and prestige has been mutilated. He looks weak. The centre has set a poor example for populist parties by prioritising political manoeuvring ahead of the people or real issues. This unfortunate saga was a waste of time and energy for Michel and a missed opportunity for the European centre.

Zsolt Nagy is a Hungarian writer on European politics and policy, currently pursuing a PhD in political science at Eötvös Loránd University. Zsolt is also a board member at Polémia Intézet, a Hungarian NGO, and a fellow with Young Voices Europe.

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