The current President of the European Council, Charles Michel, whose mandate expires at the end of November 2024, said that he will take part in the elections to the European Parliament and leave his post in the summer to take the seat of a European deputy. RIA Novosti reported.

The day before, the Belgian publication Soir reported that Michel could head the list of candidates from the Belgian liberal party Reform Movement in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament.

“I have decided to participate in the European elections in June 2024,” Michel said in an interview with leading Belgian media.

He explained that the position of Chairman of the European Council cannot be combined with the work of a member of the European Parliament, so he will resign before July 16, the date of the oath of office of the deputies of the new convocation of the European Parliament.

Michel also said that the heads of state and government of the European Union will gather for a summit in late June – early July to elect a new chairman of the European Council. He expressed hope that his successor will take office in the summer. Otherwise, the functions of the head of the European Council may be transferred to Hungary, which will preside at this time in the Council of the EU.