Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Thursday in Brussels, where he met with Ursula von der Leyen, that he is proposing Victor Negrescu as European Commissioner.
The name is not new, having been circulating in political circles for some time. However, it is not yet clear what portfolio Victor Negrescu will hold.
Romania could request a portfolio with an economic component, considering that Negrescu is also the EU rapporteur for the EU budget.
"I went with a name, he is the current Vice President of the European Parliament, Mr. Victor Negrescu.
Of course, I also made a schedule, I hope that by Monday at the latest we will submit the proposal on behalf of the Government.
This is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, but I will have a discussion with Mr. Nicolae Ciucă. I will also have a discussion with the President of Romania. It is normal for us to coordinate these negotiations."
"The most important thing at this moment is to have a very good negotiation for Romania and for a portfolio as relevant as possible within the European Commission," explained Ciolacu.
"I have had discussions with the President, several times. It was agreed that we will have a discussion after I have a discussion with the Madam President. This is normal," Ciolacu stated.
According to the law on cooperation between Parliament and the Government in the field of European affairs, the Romanian Government must inform Parliament about the nomination of a European Commissioner. Subsequently, the specialized committees of Parliament will hold hearings with the person.
Who is Victor Negrescu
Victor Negrescu is one of the most active Romanian Members of the European Parliament.
He represented Romania as a Member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2017, and then from 2020 until now. From June 29, 2017, to November 9, 2019, he served as Minister for European Affairs.
In the previous legislature, he took office later than his colleagues, on February 1, 2020, immediately after the officialization of Brexit, which granted Romania an additional mandate. He then won a new mandate in the European elections in June 2024.
On July 16, Victor Negrescu was elected Vice President of the European Parliament.
According to a study by the research platform Eu Matrix, Victor Negrescu ranks 52nd in the list of the most influential MEPs in the previous legislature. The ranking takes into account the initiatives taken by MEPs, the reports drafted, and the positions held in committees.
In addition, Negrescu was appointed Chief Negotiator of the European Parliament for the Union budget in 2025.
He was the quaestor of the European Parliament, a position from which he managed the relationship with political groups and dialogued with officials of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
He was born in 1985 in Alba Iulia. He is 39 years old and is the son of Ion Negrescu – a former diplomat and consul of Romania in Brussels.
He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Bucharest in 2008, followed by two master's programs, one in Grenoble, France, and the other in Bucharest. He also holds a Ph.D. in Political Science in 2011.
Up to now, Romania has had four European Commissioners:
- Leonard Orban - Multilingualism (2007 - 2010)
- Dacian Cioloș - Agriculture and Rural Development (2010 - 2014)
- Corina Crețu - Regional Policy (2014 - 2019)
- Adina Vălean - Transport (2019 - 2024)