As summed up very well Politico, “Belgium has a mountain of problems and appointing a European Commissioner is not one of them.”
Reappointed in mid-July for a second term at the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has set about forming her new team of commissioners, each of whom must be proposed by the executive of their country of origin. The president has set a deadline for this: August 30. “But this request comes at a bad time in Belgium.” which, more than two months after the federal, regional and European elections, is still without a government and struggling with “faltering negotiations”, notes the European media.
With the “flat country” having voted to the right on June 9, the most obvious coalition is that of five parties, essentially right-wing and center-right, which are nicknamed “Arizona” because of their colors, which recall the flag of this American state. But they are still far from the mark, notes The Echo.
If they finally agree on a government program, these five parties will then have to share out the functions. However, the one among them who appoints the commissioner will probably have to give up a ministerial portfolio. As a result, a source told L’Écho, “nobody wants this job”. Except perhaps the Reform Movement, the leading French-speaking party, from which the only candidate commissioner comes: Didier Reynders, the current title holder. And since “the greatest vagueness reigns”, as noted The Echo, “It is increasingly likely that Didier Reynders will keep his position,” complete Politico. There are two days left.
Italy and Portugal are also slow
If Ursula von der Leyen seeks to “put pressure on the capitals”, The current Commission’s mandate expires on 31 October. By then, portfolios will have to be distributed to the new Commissioners and each of them will have to be interviewed by the European Parliament.
Not only are several states – Belgium, but also Italy, Bulgaria and Portugal – slow to submit their papers, but they are also paying little attention to the instructions. In order to achieve parity, the President of the Commission has asked each Member State to provide her with two names, one man and one woman. “It has not yet been clearly heard: of the twenty-three countries which have communicated their candidate, seventeen have opted for a man, six for a woman.” The twenty-fourth country to put forward a name (but still only one), Portugal proposed on August 28 the candidacy of Maria Luís Albuquerque, former Minister of Finance.
This rule does not, however, apply in the event of the reappointment of an outgoing commissioner, “which strengthens Didier Reynders’ candidacy”.
