MEPs strip Hungarian Commissioner of key health competencies

An assessment of Várhelyi’s suitability for taking over the health and animal welfare portfolio in the next EU executive arm arrived on Wednesday evening (20 November), two weeks after his three-hour hearing at the European Parliament.

At the time, MEPs expressed dissatisfaction with his answers and subsequently postponed their decision, seeking further clarification in writing.

During the hearing, Várhelyi argued that abortion is primarily a constitutional and human rights issue rather than a health matter, asserting that it falls under the jurisdiction of individual EU member states.

This statement sparked criticism, with MEPs contending that reproductive rights are integral to the EU’s health policy framework.

In addition to sexual and reproductive rights, MEPs decided to remove Várhelyi’s oversight of the European Commission’s service for health preparedness (DG HERA), which was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to address future health crises and prevent a repeat of the mistakes made during that time.

However, Várhelyi retains control over food and animal welfare competencies, which were also under scrutiny, as well as other health-related areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices and tobacco legislation.

MEPs have prepared a formal request to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging her to revise Várhelyi’s mission letter accordingly and reallocate those competencies.

The likely candidate to assume these responsibilities is Belgian Commissioner-designate Hadja Lahbib, who is currently slated to oversee crisis management.

If appointed, Lahbib, from the liberal Renew Europe group, would gain significant influence in health-related crisis management, further enhancing her portfolio.

Várhelyi’s