The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, met this Thursday in Brussels with the president of the European Commission to talk about the candidate and the portfolio that would correspond to the country in the new executive that Ursula von der Leyen will lead.
Like other leaders of Member States, such as Italy and the Czech Republic, Marcel Ciolacu He openly assured that his commissioner should have a portfolio linked to economic policies, in statements to the press after the meeting with the leader of the Community Executive: “I want a portfolio that is as relevant as possiblegiven that we are the sixth country in the European Union. The expansion one is a more political portfolio. I would like… because I think the next few years will have a lot to do with the economy.. “I would like to have something in that area.”
Ciolacu’s choice for the post of commissioner is one of the vice presidents of the European Parliament, the socialist Victor Negrescu. In an interview given to ‘Euronews‘, the Romanian MEP also gave arguments in favor of having an economic portfolio: “Romania It is a large country and has had one of the greatest economic growth in Europe in recent years. We have some economic sectors that have developed a lot in recent years: digital, energy or even industrial production. “Therefore, Romania, as a pro-European country with a pro-European government, can contribute to the Commission’s policies in this area.”
Yesterday two women, today…”a young man”
The Bucharest Government also did not present a female name, as Von der Leyen had requested to all Member States.
Negrescu argued that the last two members of the European Executive sent by Romania were women (Adina-Ioana ValeanTransport, and Corina Cretufrom Cohesion), and preferred to emphasize the youthful aspect, since he is 39 years old.
The Romanian prime minister will not make the official announcement until August 26, after a final debate with the other two parties in the government coalition, which have also suggested candidates.
Negrescu, a political professional
Victor Negrescu He has been in the European Parliament for almost a decade, a period only briefly interrupted to become Minister of European Affairs (2017-2018), during which he helped prepare his country’s rotating presidency of the EU Council. As an MEP, he sat on the EU Culture, Education, Industry, Constitutional Affairs and Budget committees.
All candidates chosen by the President of the European Commission will have to go through control sessions in the European Parliament. Negrescu is very optimistic about this stage, if elected, because Parliament is well aware of his resume and his political performance.
“I have just been elected Vice President of the European Parliament with a large number of votes. When you participate in this type of internal elections, You are subject to scrutiny, you have to fill out many forms and, of course, show a lot of transparency. But I am willing to provide any additional information that my colleagues request, because I believe that the European Parliament must be involved in the appointments and elections of Commission members,” he assured.
Balances in portfolios
The president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen expects to receive the names of all candidates by the end of August. So far, 21 of the 27 Member States have nominated candidates, and the nominees are mostly men.
He distribution of portfolios depends on the president, which must find a balance between the characteristics of the Member States (population size, geographical location, economic weight) and the qualifications of the candidates.
Additional sources • Enrique Barrueco (Voice-over)
