By Marek Strzelecki, Lili Bayer and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on Friday mired in a diplomatic row with Hungary that underscored a deepening sense of political disunity across Europe just as it confronts a raft of major global challenges.

Poland withdrew an invitation for Hungary’s ambassador to a European Union-themed gala after Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government granted asylum to a fugitive Polish opposition lawmaker.

Poland began its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, a role that rotates among member states. This marks the second time Poland has taken on this significant responsibility since joining the EU.

Poland decided not to invite Hungary's ambassador to an event on Friday launching Warsaw's EU presidency after Budapest gave asylum to a former deputy minister who is under investigation over alleged misuse of public funds,

An opening gala was held at the National Theatre in Warsaw as Poland inaugurated its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it assumed on 1 January 2025. #EuropeNews

Poland announced it had excluded Hungary's ambassador from the opening gala of its EU presidency due to a diplomatic dispute involving a

Poland launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on Friday mired in a diplomatic row with Hungary that underscored a deepening sense of political disunity across Europe just as it confronts a raft of major global challenges.

A gala was held in Warsaw on Friday as Poland officially assumed the presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2025.

Poland removed Viktor Orban and other top Hungarian officials from the guest list for a gala event Friday to mark the handover of the rotating Presidency of the European Union from Budapest to Warsaw.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was also not invited to the ceremony in Warsaw. Read more at straitstimes.com.