Without the president's approval, Romania's third nomination for the position of European commissioner was met with great reluctance in Brussels
Romania has so far made three nominations for the position of European Transport Commissioner, a portfolio our country has been allotted in the new commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The nominations were made by the outgoing Social-Democrat Government and are unlikely to be confirmed. Rovana Plumb, the first to be nominated, failed the integrity test in the legal committee due to her wealth declaration. Dan Nica, a former Minister, didn't even get to the hearing stage, since the Dancila Cabinet was in the meantime removed from office after failing a no-confidence motion in Parliament. The third nomination, the former Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Victor Negrescu, raises the problem of legitimacy, as the nomination was made after the Government was demised. On Wednesday the European Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva sided with the statement of President Klaus Iohannis, arguing the proposal made by outgoing Prime Minister Viorica Dancila does not have the approval and support of President Iohannis, which raises serious doubts in Brussels over its legitimacy.
The EU official went on to say that the Commission can neither accept nor refuse the proposal, and that the problem has to be settled in Romania. Mina Andreeva recalled that, given all the challenges and opportunities, it's in everyone's interest that the new Commission can get on track without any further delays. Irrespective of who Romania's candidate will be, he or she must be acceptable for the European Commission president elect, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as obtain the necessary support in the European Parliament. The political crisis in Bucharest, which led to the demise of the Dancila Cabinet, now risks affecting the formation and functioning of the new European Commission. At first, Romania was not the only member state whose candidate raised questions pertaining to integrity. France and Hungary too submitted candidates who were originally accepted by Ursula von der Leyen, but who fell foul of Parliament's JURI and specialized committees.
The rejection of the Romanian, Hungarian and French candidates in various stages of the hearing process will mean the new Commission will take office no sooner than December. Consequently, Ursula von der Leyen has piled up pressure on Romania to submit a new candidate. It is so far unclear who is rightfully entitled to make this nomination, given that the Social-Democratic Government was removed from office, and the new Liberal Government has not yet been sworn in. The investiture vote is scheduled for November 4.
(Translated by V. Palcu)
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