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Brunner wants to promote competitiveness as commissioner

by AI | 02.Aug 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Austria’s candidate for the EU Commission, Magnus Brunner, intends to serve as Commissioner for the EU’s competitiveness. This is possible in all economic departments. He does not yet know which agendas Commission President von der Leyen wants to entrust him with, Brunner said in an interview.

Archive photo - The commission president is aware of his skills and experience, said Brunner, who also referred to his previous work in the energy sector. Photo: APA/Roland Schlager

Vienna – Austria’s Finance Minister Magnus Brunner of the conservative ÖVP has reiterated that he wants to promote Europe’s competitiveness as an EU Commissioner. Speaking to the public broadcaster ORF, Brunner said, “I will put all my energy into this.” All economic sectors played a role in this, including finance and energy. He still had no signals about which portfolio he would get, Brunner said.

First, one had to see which countries nominated which candidates. “I am sure that President Ursula von der Leyen will make a good decision at the end of the day.” The Commission President knew what competencies and experiences he had, said Brunner, who also referred to his previous work in the energy sector. At the same time, he emphasized regarding the future portfolio: “I don’t think you should express any preferences.”

As Finance Minister, Brunner wants to remain in office until he is confirmed as EU Commissioner by the Main Committee (of the Austrian National Council) and by the European Parliament. The finance minister dismissed opposition criticism that he was nominated for the position despite Austria’s budget deficit. “We have obviously faced challenges in the past three years that are unparalleled. Such crises have never occurred before.”

He valued highly the EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler (also ÖVP), who lost out in the race for the Commissioner position, Brunner said. She was “an excellent politician.” The government had decided on his nomination “as a whole”. “At the end of the day, the decision fell to me, and now I will make the best of it.” (08/02/2024)