“Andrii Kubilia is known throughout Lithuania, his assessment is apparently ambiguous and varied. Many people still remember the tax reforms and various optimizations carried out by Andrias Kubilius and his Government”, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, the chairwoman of the Social Democrats in the Seimas, told reporters.
On the other hand, the politician makes it clear that the ex-prime minister is a much better candidate for European commissioners than the minister of foreign affairs.
“Andrius Kubilius is a sufficiently experienced politician. I think he would be able to perform the commissioner’s duties properly. I would like him to be the commissioner of the whole of Lithuania, not of its individual parts, but also of the entire European Union,” said the social democrat, noting that the protracted discussions about the European commissioner should be ended by choosing A. Kubilias.
“There are different opinions, but I would like to say that delay is no longer possible, there is no other choice. Andrius Kubilius will apparently be the person who should be approved for the position of commissioner,” said V. Blinkevičiūtė.
The fact that A. Kubilius is more suitable than G. Landsbergis is also noted by the chairman of the “Vardan Lietuvos” party Saulius Skvernelis.
“Without a doubt. As for that formal CV, it would probably be difficult to deny the possibility of becoming a commissioner – a two-time prime minister and a second term in the European Parliament, a person well-known in foreign policy in the European Parliament. If we evaluate it through that prism, I think he is a much more capable and stronger candidate in terms of political weight,” said S. Skvernelis.
However, S. Skvernelis says he does not yet know whether his party will support the policy, which is criticized domestically.
“We didn’t consider it. If evaluated through the prism of domestic politics, it is difficult to expect that support (…) But there will no longer be such a stimulus as there was with Gabriel”, said the politician.
Aurelijus Veryga, the representative of the peasants elected to the European Parliament, also evaluates the candidacy of A. Kubilius for European Commissioner ambiguously.
“The caliber of politicians is incomparable. The candidacy itself sounds more serious, but there are many “buts”, A. Veryga told reporters in the Seimas.
“For me, this is like a revenge. If you don’t want Landsberg, you’ll get Kubilius,” said the peasant, also recalling the decisions made by A. Kubilius during his tenure as prime minister.
“It’s a double feeling,” the politician concluded.
The fact that A. Kubilius’ candidacy will be proposed to the EC was confirmed on Monday by Frederikas Janson, the chief advisor to the president.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, who has been discussed in the media and political corridors as a possible European Commissioner, told Elta on Friday that he had received information that President Gitanas Nausėda would not approve his candidacy. Therefore, according to the conservative leader, Prime Minister I. Šimonytė should look for other names when looking for a candidate for the EC.
After G. Landsbergis withdrew from the candidates, it was said in the political backstage that the conservative A. Kubilius, who was re-elected as a member of the European Parliament for a second term, could be offered to fill this position.
The nomination of the Eurocommissioner is submitted by the Government after the position has been agreed with the President and the Seimas.
2024-08-19 10:26:33