Orbán’s man in Brussels stalls Russian energy exit plan

BRUSSELS — Hungary's EU commissioner is delaying approval of a new plan to end the bloc’s Russian energy reliance.

Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi launched a procedural objection to the proposal just hours before its anticipated release on Tuesday, according to three European officials granted anonymity to speak about closed-door negotiations.

Várhelyi’s objection comes despite a formal obligation to be independent from Hungary's national political interests. Given Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Russia-friendly energy policies, the move was instantly viewed as “a political thing,” said one of the officials, arguing it would not derail the plan’s ultimate approval. 

It's also unclear how Várhelyi’s policy portfolio, health and animal welfare, is linked to the Russian energy plans — if at all.

The roadmap is slated for release on Tuesday after the EU’s 27 commissioners, one for each country, meet and green-light the document. Várhelyi, the hard-right Orbán's choice as Hungary’s commissioner, has placed a reservation on the meeting agenda, meaning commissioners will have to debate his concerns. They can then choose to either override or take the concerns on board. 

Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy in Brussels did not respond to a request to confirm whether Várhelyi had coordinated the move with Budapest. Orbán has previously vowed to veto new restrictions on Russian oil and gas, and used temporary exemptions to EU energy sanctions to boost Russian fossil fuel imports. 

A code of conduct for commissioners requires them to "be completely independent and neither seek nor take instructions from any Government or other institution, body, office or entity."

Várhelyi's exact concerns have not been publicized, and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A former member of Orbán's governing Fidesz party, Várhelyi previously oversaw the bloc's enlargement policy but was given a less-prominent portfolio after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen secured a second term.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is due to unveil the Russian energy plan — designed to help the bloc quit Moscow's oil and gas — following the commissioners’ meeting. Jørgensen's team declined to comment.

The plan is expected to contain a series of proposals designed to enable energy firms to end their business with Moscow, likely offering new powers to terminate already-signed contracts and discouraging future deals. 

Zia Weise contributed to this report.