European Lawmakers Postpone Decision on Olivér Várhelyi’s EU Commissioner Nomination

Following a three-hour hearing, European lawmakers decided on Wednesday night to postpone their decision regarding Olivér Várhelyi’s nomination as the EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. The lawmakers expressed concerns over his reluctance to recognize women’s health as a competence of the European Union. According to the Parliament’s regulations, committee chairs and coordinators convene confidentially after a hearing to vote on whether they believe commissioner candidates are suitable for the role.

Once Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) finalize additional questions in a meeting scheduled for today, Várhelyi will have 48 hours to provide his responses. Group leaders are anticipated to assess his replies next Monday, November 11, to determine whether they are satisfied with his answers or if a further hearing will be necessary.

Várhelyi, affiliated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, was already regarded as a contentious nominee for the health position due to his limited experience in the field. Some responsibilities within his portfolio may now be reassigned to other commissioners to facilitate his confirmation. Four MEPs from different political factions informed Euronews that Várhelyi may risk losing oversight of reproductive health and animal welfare, in particular.

A Christian Democrat and a Liberal lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that Várhelyi exhibited technical preparedness, indicating he had thoroughly prepared for the hearing, particularly on health-related topics. However, MEPs found some of his responses to be evasive, especially concerning sensitive political issues. He stated that the EU lacked the competence to address certain questions.

Contentious Issues Surrounding Women’s Health

The most provocative topic addressed was women’s health, which has been closely monitored by MEPs given that Várhelyi’s party, Fidesz, has historically opposed broader access to abortion services in Hungary. When questioned about whether he viewed sexual and reproductive health as a crucial element of the EU’s Health Union, Várhelyi responded that abortion is more related to constitutional and human rights matters than to health, asserting that it falls under the jurisdiction of individual member states.

French socialist MEP Christophe Clergeau countered this perspective, arguing that reproductive rights indeed fall within the EU’s health competencies. He advocated for the EU to initiate a comprehensive women’s health strategy, akin to the Beating Cancer Plan, which would include access to reproductive health services. French liberal MEP Pascal Canfin stated that appointing a Fidesz-aligned Commissioner to oversee reproductive rights would constitute “a total red line,” suggesting that MEPs would struggle to accept his involvement in this critical area.

Related

• Lawmakers seek EU-level regulation of contraceptives, abortion pills

Concerns over Women’s Health and Vaccine Policies

Other MEPs raised alarms regarding Várhelyi’s limited support for women’s health and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in health policy. The atmosphere during the hearing became tense as some MEPs accused him of disregarding the rights and challenges faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare. In response to accusations about his stance, Várhelyi defended himself, stating, “Why do you think I’m not an ally of women? I live with four women—my wife and three daughters. Don’t you consider me an ally of women?”

Emma Fourreau, a left-wing MEP from France, characterized Várhelyi as “a misogynist remote-controlled by Viktor Orbán.” Furthermore, Várhelyi faced scrutiny regarding Hungary’s decision to authorize Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines without European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval, a move that conflicted with the EU’s collective position. Liberal MEP Canfin remarked that Várhelyi’s inability to dissociate himself from this decision by Orbán contributed to MEPs’ hesitance to support his candidacy for Commissioner.

Policy Initiatives Presented by Várhelyi

During the hearing, Várhelyi committed to introducing the highly anticipated Critical Medicines Act, aimed at addressing the severe shortages of medical devices and pharmaceuticals within the first 100 days of his mandate, should he be confirmed. He also announced plans for a European initiative targeting cardiovascular health, which would include strategies for diabetes and obesity prevention. “Our plan should help us develop and make available new and personalized prevention and treatment options for Europeans,” he articulated.

Regarding EU medical device regulations, Várhelyi expressed a willingness to reevaluate the existing framework even in the near term. “I will intensify the ongoing work evaluating the current legislation with the aim of being ready with the review next year,” he noted.

Related

• European Parliament softens stance on overhaul of medical device rules

Várhelyi identified tobacco as a significant health risk, indicating the EU’s forthcoming review of the Tobacco Directives. He assured that the Commission “won’t be shy” in addressing tobacco issues during this review. Concerning cell-based meat, Várhelyi deferred to the EU Food Safety Agency (EFSA) for scientific assessment but acknowledged the necessity of an ethical debate surrounding the technology. He suggested that, similar to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), EU countries could implement an opt-out system for cell-based meat, allowing those who oppose it to abstain.

Questions regarding animal welfare also emerged, with Várhelyi promising to investigate enhancements in the conditions of animal transport. However, Green MEP Thomas Waitz expressed skepticism regarding Várhelyi’s commitment, describing his responses on the topic as unsatisfactory and raising serious doubts about his suitability for the role.