Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu does not rule out the possibility of nominating a woman to hold the position of European Commissioner, after triumphantly presenting Victor Negrescu as Romania’s proposal a few days ago, without prior consultation with President Klaus Iohannis.
„It’s a negotiation process. I do not negotiate with the President of the Commission on deficit issues in the context of nominating the European Commissioner.
At this moment, of course, I speak with other political leaders, we try to negotiate the best portfolio and the most representative for Romania. There are several proposals.
The President of the Commission does not only do this with Romania, but with all the Prime Ministers in the EU. It's a longer process, which we will finalize," says Marcel Ciolacu.
When asked when the nomination will take place, he replied bluntly: "When we are satisfied with the portfolio."
He also states that Ursula von der Leyen requested the nomination of a woman from the beginning.
"We will have a negotiation process. If for a certain portfolio the most suitable person is a woman, then we will nominate a woman.
If for a certain portfolio a man is more suitable, we will nominate a man. The domain that the Romanian Commissioner will represent in the European Commission is very important," adds Ciolacu.
Negotiations are not secret, just discreet
At the same time, he was irritated by a journalist's question whether nominating a woman, in the context of his presidential candidacy, would not imply that he cannot assert himself externally.
"Are you serious? What do you mean I can't assert myself? I'm trying to break free from the stupid logic that has been played for decades and you judge me that it's a weakness, that I negotiate... I want to find the best person to represent Romania. I believe my duty to Romanians is to obtain the best portfolio for Romania. People are always secondary. We have solutions."
"With Nicolae Ciucă, this morning we discussed the negotiation for the portfolio. He is not the only political leader I have discussions with during this period. These discussions, including with the President of the Commission, are not secret, just discreet.
These discussions with political leaders in Romania are not secret, just discreet during this negotiation period," concludes Ciolacu.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, asked Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to nominate a woman for European Commissioner, as only six states have nominated women.
The first proposal made by Marcel Ciolacu for the designation of the European Commissioner from Romania is Victor Negrescu.
The Prime Minister met with Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday. The proposal was not discussed with President Klaus Iohannis beforehand.