“Mr. Landsbergis was one of the persons whose names were mentioned during the conversation between the president and the prime minister. There were up to 10 such persons who could potentially occupy the post of European Commissioner”, said F. Janson in Eltai on Saturday. However, according to him, in the end, Lithuania will propose a person who will be able to occupy the mentioned positions and whose candidacy will be coordinated.
“The president of the European Commission will be offered a candidate who will not only want to, but will also be able to occupy this position and who will be coordinated by the president and the prime minister,” asserted G. Janson.
Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Landsbergis told Elta on Friday that he had received information that President G. Nausėda would not approve of his candidacy for European Commissioner. Therefore, according to the conservative leader, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė should look for other names when looking for a candidate for the European Commission (EC).
“First of all, I am grateful for the support and for the fact that I was presented by the Prime Minister, and for the fact that Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen expressed the support that I am presented with. The leader of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, also said publicly. This is really important and I really appreciate it. Realizing that this is in no way acceptable and unimportant for one institution or even the head of the institution, I think it is necessary to look for another option,” G. Landsbergis said to Eltai on Friday evening.
Although it was previously announced that Mr. Landsbergis’ candidacy was not officially presented to the president, Mr. Landsbergis himself says that the available information allows us to say that the process of coordinating his candidacy took place.
ELTA reminds that for a long time it was unofficially said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Landsbergis was applying for the post in Brussels. A large number of members of the Conservative Party have also openly expressed their support for this potential candidacy.
However, the minister himself had not publicly expressed such an intention for a long time.
President G. Nausėda, whose approval is necessary for the delegation of Lithuania’s representative to the EC, has repeatedly made it clear that he would not be inclined to support G. Landsbergis’ candidacy. He has stated that he sees better candidates than G. Landsbergis. In addition, the head of the country said that Vilnius should pursue portfolios that are related to the economic field. The advisor to the president, F. Jansonas, hinted that both the prime minister herself and the finance minister Gintarė Skaistė could apply for such an EC portfolio.
There was no lack of skepticism in the Seimas, either, when assessing G. Landsbergi’s chances of becoming a European Commissioner. Not only the opposition, but also the representatives of the ruling majority have publicly stated that they do not support this candidacy.
The nomination of the Eurocommissioner is submitted by the Government after the position has been agreed with the President and the Seimas.
2024-08-17 18:49:35