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Slovenia insists on the commissioner candidate

by AI | 04.Sep 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Slovenian government, despite the alleged pressure from the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, insists on the candidacy of Tomaž Vesel for the European Commissioner from Slovenia.

Candidate for European Commissioner from Slovenia Tomaž Vesel at the presentation before the parliamentary committee for EU affairs. Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana/Brussels – The Slovenian government, despite alleged pressure from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to replace the candidate with a female counterpart for a better position, insists on the candidacy of the former president of the Slovenian Court of Audit, Tomaž Vesel, for the European Commissioner from Slovenia.

“After today’s working meeting, coalition partners remain united that Tomaž Vesel is the only candidate of the Republic of Slovenia for the European Commissioner for the new composition of the European Commission,” the Slovenian government announced on Tuesday via the social network X.

Slovenia is said to be among the countries where von der Leyen allegedly tried to achieve the replacement of the candidate with a female candidate, promising them better positions in return.

Von der Leyen has set herself the goal of a gender-balanced commission, but received more male candidates from the countries, with Bulgaria being the only one that heeded her request and suggested two candidates – a man and a woman.

The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasized today that the competence of the candidates is crucial in forming the European Commission, but geographical, political, and gender balance are also important.

According to her, competence means that members of the College of Commissioners have experience in high political or executive functions, such as prime minister, minister, deputy minister, or at least high diplomatic functions or senior positions in one of the EU institutions. (September 4)