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Belgium nominates Foreign Minister Lahbib as European Commissioner

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

As the last EU member state, Belgium has nominated a European commissioner. The choice eventually fell on Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

Hadja Lahbib (m) in conversation with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon (l) and European High Representative Josep Borrell (r).

Brussels – The Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib is being proposed as a candidate for European Commissioner on behalf of her country. Belgium is the last member state to nominate a commissioner.

The decision that Lahbib may get a spot in the European Commission of Ursula von der Leyen was made by her political party MR. The ball landed in the camp of the Belgian French-speaking liberals after consultations between the five political parties that are trying to form a new federal (national) government.

“This appointment shows that we want to feminize and renew, both in the party and in public structures. It is also a recognition of Hadja’s brilliant work during the Belgian presidency of the European Union,” explained MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez his choice for Lahbib.

Who is “deeply disappointed” that the MR passed him over is Lahbib’s party colleague Didier Reynders. He was already the European Commissioner for the past five years – responsible for Justice – but he bit the dust.

Which portfolio Lahbib will get in the Commission will be determined by Von der Leyen. Before the European Parliament gives the green light for the entire Commission, each candidate commissioner must still undergo a hearing in the competent parliamentary committee. (02/09/2024)