Belgium announced on Monday the selection of Foreign Minister Hadji Lahbib as a candidate for a position in the new European Commission. Before Lahbib becomes a commissioner, she must undergo a hearing European Parliament. This in turn may prove to be quite a challenge for her.
According to the media, Hadja Lahbib needs to prepare for a round of difficult questions as she has sparked controversy several times in the past.
Belgium. Hadja Lahbib candidate for EU commissioner
One of them is the one filed in 2021. visit to the occupied Russia Crimea. The Belgian Foreign Minister went on a trip through Moscow. As it turned out, the trip was financed from the budget of the Russian organization cultural related to the daughter Vladimir Putin.
The case caused quite a stir not only in Belgium but also in Kiev. Russia has occupied Crimea since 2014.
Lahbib also attracted attention for her presence on controversial FIFA World Cup in Qatarwhere she went as a representative of Belgium. Concerns were raised about human rights and working conditions in the construction of football facilities.
It was also widely commented on in the media Lahibib's meeting with FIFA president Gianni InfantinoBefore the Belgian national team’s opening match, she sought out Infantino in the stands and showed him the OneLove armband, a sign of support for LGBT rights. FIFA has banned teams from wearing the armband.
Controversy surrounds Belgian Foreign Minister. She faces hearing in the European Parliament
VRT recalled that in mid-2023 the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs will again came under fire after issuing visas to a delegation of Iranians participating in the conference of mayors in Brussels.
The Belgian Foreign Minister explained at the time that the responsibility rested with the Brussels regional government, as it had invited the delegation, while the federal government could not refuse the request, given the ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Iran regarding Belgian prisoners in Iranian prisons.
However, both the opposition and government parties criticized what they saw as the minister’s unclear explanations and her lack of guilt or responsibility. They demanded an apology and recognition of her role in the matter.
Hadja Lahbib first appeared on the political scene in the summer of 2022, when took over the position of Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairsafter her predecessor resigned.
Lahnbib's choice came as a big surprise, as she had no experience in politics. was a journalist and television news presenter.