Varhelyi set to be 'one of most qualified' EU commissioners

Despite the opposition's "disrespectful" attacks against Oliver Varhelyi, he could be "one of the most qualified commissioners" in the new European Commission, the head of the Prime Minister's Office said on Thursday. At his regular press briefing, Gergely Gulyas noted that Varhelyi has been approved as the commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood policy, adding that this would be "the most important" portfolio assigned to Hungary since the country joined the bloc in 2004. Hungary expects the new EC to fix its "botched migration policy" and seek consensus rather than conflict on this issue, Gulyas said. The new commission should also pursue a new direction in economic policy, strive for good and fair relations with world powers and bolster the protection of the European way of life, the PM's chief of staff added.