Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu picked Social Democrat MEP Victor Negrescu as his candidate for the country's next European commissioner.
ADVERTISEMENTRomania's Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared that his commissioner should have a portfolio touching on economic policies, after a meeting held with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday.
"I want a portfolio that is as relevant as possible, given that we are the sixth largest country in the European Union. I believe that the next few years have a lot to do with the economy... I'd like to have something in that area," Ciolacu said to reporters in Brussels.
His request is similar to leaders of Italy and Czechia, who also requested a portfolio touching on economic policy.
Ciolacu's choice for the post of commissioner is one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament, the socialist Victor Negrescu.
"Romania has some economic sectors that have developed a lot in recent years: digital, energy and even industrial production. Therefore, Romania, as a pro-European country with a pro-European government, can contribute to the Commission's policies in this field," Ciolacu told Euronews.
No female name
Bucharest did not nominate a female candidate for its country's commissioner position, despite von der Leyen's request for all member states to do so.
Negrescu defended his candidacy by saying that the previous two members of the European executive sent by Romania were women and, at 39 years old, highlighted his youth.
"I think we also need young people in the Commission because we want to appeal to the young citizens across Europe who turned out in great force in the European elections," Negrescu said.
Romania's prime minister will make the official announcement on 26 August for the country's candidate, after a final debate with the other two parties in the governing coalition, who have also suggested candidates.
Victor Negrescu has been in the European Parliament for nearly a decade, a period only briefly interrupted to become Minister for European Affairs (2017-2018), during which he helped prepare his country's rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
As an MEP, he served on the EU's Culture, Education, Industry, Constitutional Affairs and Budget committees.
Von der Leyen makes the final decision
President Ursula von der Leyen expects to receive the names of all the candidates by the end of August. So far, 21 of the 27 member states have nominated candidates, and the nominees are mainly male.
The distribution of portfolios is up to the president, who has to find a balance between the characteristics of the member states (population size, geographical location, economic weight) and the qualifications of the candidates.