RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

A New European Commission President

Former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker has been confirmed as the next president of the Eruopean Commission.

A New European Commission President
A New European Commission President

, 16.07.2014, 13:13

Former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has been confirmed as the next president of the European Commission (EC) by the European Parliament. Junker claimed majority support during the European parliament vote on Tuesday, winning 422 ballots from the 751-seat chamber, votes secured by the European People’s Party.



Seen as a genuine European politician, with major accomplishments in Luxembourg, which, during his term as Prime Minister became one of the countries with the highest GDP per capita, Junker has the capacity and will to bring Europe back to the fore-front of international politics. He actually played a major part in saving the European single currency while president of the Eurogroup, the informal body that brings together the finance ministers of the countries whose currency is the Euro.



The speech he gave on Tuesday before the European Parliament is more proof that his plans are ambitious, matching the challenges posed by the position he is to take over on November 1st. He promised an investment plan worth 300 billion Euros, aimed at ensuring economic growth and fighting unemployment, which continues to affect young people. Also with regard to the economy, Juncker’s working agenda includes the revival of European industry, which is far from having recovered from the crisis, and the creation of a solid energy infrastructure in the EU.



As for the free trade agreement with the US, the next head of the EC said it would not be signed at any cost. “ I will not sacrifice Europe’s safety, health, social and data protection standards on the altar of free trade” said Junker, who also promised that negotiations with the US will be transparent. He was equally blunt when speaking about the enlargement policy, saying that the EU will not expand in the coming five years, as it needs time to consolidate the ties between its 28 current members.



However, he highlighted the real progress made by some of the countries that want to join the Union, such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, which, alongside Georgia, have recently singed the association agreement with the EU. The European policy regarding migration and the Economic and Monetary Union are other priorities on Junker’s agenda, suggestively titled “ A New Start for Europe” .




Mircea Fechet (Photo: gov.ro)
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget

The Environment Fund Administration this year received from the government a record budget for investments, worth over 3.2 billion euros. The money...

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget
Minister of Education and research, Daniel David
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

Measures for the Romanian education

During Thursday’s meeting, the Romanian government discussed several laws related to education. They established the legal framework for...

Measures for the Romanian education
Photo: pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions

There are several occupational categories in Romania whose employees are usually retiring under the age of 50 and whose pensions aren’t exclusively...

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions
Foto: Mediamodifier / pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank

According to its latest report, the World Bank expects growth in developing economies in Europe and Central Asia to slow down to 2.5% in 2025-2026...

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

From budget deficit to governmental debt

  The Romanian finance ministry reiterates Romania’s commitment to meet the 7% of GDP deficit target at the end of the year, and promises...

From budget deficit to governmental debt
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Romanian – German Friendship Day

A year ago, former Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, himself an ethnic German from Transylvania, promulgated the Law establishing April 21 as...

Romanian – German Friendship Day
Today in the News Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, the second day of Easter, after 12 years of pontificate, and the emotion caused by his disappearance crossed the...

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death
Today in the News Thursday, 17 April 2025

Christians before Easter

The Orthodox Christians in Romania are preparing to celebrate Easter – the feast of light and joy, considered the greatest celebration of...

Christians before Easter

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company