Van Rompuy: “The President of the Commission indicated by parties? I’m not an avid supporter”

Herman Van Rompuy is no “particular supporter” of the idea of candidates being expressed by European parties for the Commission Presidency. In an interview with German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, the President of the European Council said he is not “an avid supporter of this idea, with top candidates,” which was strongly supported buy the European Parliament lately. For the first time ever, in fact, Elections will be held following the Lisbon Treaty rules – according to which Heads of State and Government will have to submit the name of the future head of the commission “taking account of the electoral result.” This is why MEPs asked the lists to be integrated with the name of their candidate for the Presidency.

Yet, Van Rompuy said these pan-European parties leading candidates will have little influence on voters, who are increasingly interested in national issues. “To put it mildly,” he said, “they would not have great influence on the behaviour of voters.” Furthermore, President Van Rompuy hit hard on the Parliament, with another significant jab. He recognised the Parliament has now “an important role,” yet “the difference between the Parliament and those who really decide is very clear to citizens.” This is one of the reasons for the usual low turnout at European Elections.

This was something Hannes Swoboda, President of the S&D Group at the European Parliament, did not like at all – see his tweet:

Scandalous interview of @euHvR in @SZ http://t.co/2nsuZiJIBJ – clearly he doesn't understand democratic process of #EP2014 nominations!

— Hannes Swoboda (@Hannes_Swoboda) 21 Aprile 2014