Romania’s nomination for EU Commissioner

Without the president's approval, Romania's third nomination for the position of European commissioner was met with great reluctance in Brussels

Ştefan Stoica, 31.10.2019, 13:50

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)