Brussels – On Wednesday, outgoing Austrian EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn held what he referred to as his “hopefully last press conference” in his current role. He expressed optimism that an agreement regarding the new EU Commission would be reached, potentially allowing it to commence on December 1st, as indications suggest. Hahn believes Europe is “intellectually prepared” to face the leadership of US President Donald Trump.
To illustrate Europe’s readiness, Hahn pointed to reports commissioned by the Commission aimed at enhancing competitiveness, authored by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi. “It is time to transform knowledge into tangible actions,” he emphasized. His primary objective as the outgoing EU Commissioner is to “protect European life in an increasingly complex world,” stressing the need for appropriate action.
The ÖVP politician expressed concern over the “worrying political situation” within member states, arguing that concepts like ‘Austria or Sweden first’ are ineffective. He underscored the importance of unity among member states and warned against “solo efforts.” Hahn criticized right-wing populists, stating, “Populists create slogans but fail to deliver solutions. When tasked with finding solutions, they fall short.” He echoed the sentiments of German CDU politician Wolfgang Schäuble: “Governing is a rendezvous with reality.”
In his comments, Hahn highlighted the introduction of “conditionality,” which links EU funding to the fulfillment of specific criteria, as a significant achievement during his tenure. He noted that when he began in Brussels as Regional Commissioner in 2010, this concept was “completely new.” Today, it has become a standard practice. Due to concerns regarding the rule of law, several billion euros in EU funds earmarked for Hungary were frozen in 2022 under this mechanism. Budapest must implement EU-mandated reforms, such as in the judiciary, for the funds to be released; some funds have already been unlocked.
His time as Budget Commissioner also coincided with the coronavirus pandemic and the establishment of the EU Corona Fund (Recovery and Resilience Facility). Hahn acknowledged the criticism surrounding the ARF concept but defended it by stating, “By the end of 2021, Europe recovered from the pandemic a year earlier than anticipated, followed by the Ukraine war.” He views his approach as “successful” and believes it is crucial to learn from this experience for future implementation. He is supportive of proposals to merge parts of the cohesion funds with the ARF, affirming that “critics of the more than 500 programs should be taken seriously.”
As for his plans post-EU Commission, Hahn did not reveal any specific intentions, mentioning that he needs to adjust to life as a retiree. (22.11.2024)
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