Charles Michel to pull out of EU election race

European Council President Charles Michel, who faced intense scrutiny over his decision to leave the job to run in the upcoming EU elections, is now withdrawing from the race, two officials briefed on the decision told POLITICO.

The decision comes days before European leaders are set to meet in Brussels.

Michel’s surprise decision to run in the European parliamentary elections in June, which would have meant leaving his post months before the end of his term, prompted furious reactions from EU officials, European diplomats and Parliament.

Officials perceived his surprise announcement as a signal that he attached more importance to his political future than to his current role as head of the European Council.

Michel’s move also piled pressure on European leaders to find a compromise on the EU’s top jobs.

Had he been elected as a member of the European Parliament — which was highly likely if he had run — Michel would have had to take office in mid-July, opening the door for Hungary’s Euroskeptic Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to temporarily chair meetings of EU leaders.