Macron’s Hungary trip highlights EU rift over liberal values

By JUSTIN SPIKE and SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is in Hungary’s capital for talks with the leaders of the European Union’s eastern nations. The discussions on Monday noted political rifts over the scope of the EU’s authority as France prepares to take over the EU’s rotating 6-month presidency on Jan. 1. Macron met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He said he had “political disagreements” with the Hungarian leader but was “committed to work together for Europe and to be loyal partners.” Macron also plans to take part in a summit of the leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Macron’s trip is the first visit to Hungary by a sitting French president since 2007.