Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, will present his candidacy in the June elections to the European Parliament and, therefore, will leave his position prematurely.

He stated this in an interview with three Belgian media outlets.

The European Parliament elections are scheduled for June, so if Michel is elected, he will leave the position of the President of the European Council in mid-July.

"I have decided to participate in the European elections in 2024. If elected, I will take my place. The European Council can decide and name a successor by the end of June or the beginning of July," said Michel.

According to him, the election campaign should not affect his current position.

Michel emphasized that 2024 is a crucial year for elections not only in Europe but worldwide.

"First and foremost, the European project is at a crossroads, and there is a need to strengthen the legitimacy of European democracy. I want to be part of the team building the European project, and I am running to continue serving it," he stressed.

Former Prime Minister of Belgium Michel will run from his center-right party, the Reformist Movement.

He has been heading the European Council since the end of 2019. Michel could have remained in office until the end of November.