EC President Michel may step down to become MEP

European Council President Charles Michel intends to leave his post early if he is elected Member of the European Parliament in the June vote.

He stated this in an interview with several Belgian publications, Ukrinform reports with reference to De Standaard.

Such rumors had been circulating for a while but now Charles Michel confirmed reports by announcing his participation in the upcoming elections scheduled for June 9.

He decided to join the Belgian liberal party Reformation Movement (Mouvement Réformateur).

"If I am elected, I will pledge allegiance," said Michel. “I will serve as President of the European Council until I am sworn in as a member of the European Parliament in mid-July."

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Michel's term as President of the European Council runs out in December but he cannot occupy to positions at once.

The election of a new president of the European Council is traditionally part of a package of appointments that must be agreed upon by the heads of state and government of the EU member states at the post-election summit.