Slovenia has finally approved the candidacy of former ambassador Marta Kos to the European Commission today, after several days of internal political disputes closely monitored in Brussels.
Ljubljana, 19 September 2024 (Lusa) - Slovenia has finally approved the candidacy of former ambassador Marta Kos to the European Commission today, after several days of internal political disputes closely monitored in Brussels.
"The government has unanimously approved the candidacy of Marta Kos", declared Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arcon, after a meeting with the future Commissioner for Enlargement.
Ljubljana had initially chosen another candidate, who withdrew after the president of the community executive, Ursula von der Leyen, insisted that the liberal Prime Minister, Robert Golob, put forward the name of a woman, according to the local press.
Accusing the government of "giving in to Brussels", the conservative opposition managed to express its discontent by postponing the mandatory hearing of the former diplomat by a Slovenian parliamentary committee.
The hearing took place on Wednesday evening and ended with the support of nine MEPs, while another five, representing the opposition, voted against, claiming that the candidate did not have the necessary experience.
In the coming weeks, the future commissioners will have to go through the always delicate process of hearings and voting in the European Parliament to be officially appointed for this five-year term.
Portugal nominated Maria Luís Albuquerque, who, according to the presentation made on Tuesday by the Commission president, should be responsible for the Financial Services and Savings and Investment Union portfolios.
