“The candidacies were discussed for quite a long time. And the candidacies were discussed, and I myself discussed it with the chairwoman of the Commission, because you still need to feel somehow whether there is some negative attitude, or some comments, or perhaps prejudices on the receiving side. I can truly say that there were no such ones, the name was definitely received positively,” I. Šimonytė told “Žinių radio” on Thursday.
“Naturally, because Gabrielius Landsbergis, I think, has earned a fairly solid reputation in the international space, his opinion is listened to, he is widely interviewed by the international media, he is valued as an expert in various geopolitical phenomena”, she taught, adding that G. Landsbergis was the first her election to the EC.
Previously, Eltai G. Landsbergis stated that, according to the politician’s knowledge, his name was presented to the EC chairperson. The conservative said that U. von der Leyen evaluated his chances of applying for the EC favorably.
However, a couple of weeks ago Mr. Landsbergis said that he had received information that President Mr. Nausėda would not approve of his candidacy. He made it clear that previous conflicts with the Presidency – the so-called “Phantom of the Opera” scandal – could have influenced this. Therefore, the chairman of the conservative party urged the prime minister to look for another candidate.
He proposed to Andriis Kubilis to become a member of the European Parliament (EP). Last Thursday, President G. Nausėda signed the decree presented by the Government, by which he approved the candidacy of the former prime minister for European commissioners.
I. Šimonytė says that the chairwoman of the EC also favorably evaluated the name of A. Kubilius.
“It is very difficult to react negatively to the candidacy of Andrias Kubilius and, in general, it is very difficult to have any objections to the candidacy, bearing in mind that (…) the European Parliament elections were won by the European People’s Party, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and in Lithuania also by the Homeland Union , which was conducted by Andrius Kubilius”, said I. Šimonytė.
“The experience of Andrias Kubilius (…) is one that is very, very difficult to argue with. I think that it will be very useful for the President of the Commission to have people who have a really solid reputation, a lot of experience and who can help to do the big things that she herself mentioned in her speech in the European Parliament”, concluded the Prime Minister.
In the extraordinary session of the Seimas called next week, the parliamentarians should decide on the candidacy of A. Kubilias to the EC.
2024-08-29 06:36:18