By Daisy Ayliffe - 30th October 2006
Romania has proposed a new European commissioner after the previous candidate withdrew.
On Sunday night Varujan Vosganian withdrew his application after it emerged that commission president José Manuel Barroso was concerned about his business links.
European newspapers report that Vosganian is set to be replaced by the country’s Europe minister, Leonard Orban.
Vosganian’s decision to stand down was an embarrassing one for Bucharest, which had hoped for a smooth finish to what has been a long and difficult EU accession process.
Although Vosganian is a senior member of the Romanian liberal party, he is largely unknown in Brussels circles.
Orban is more well-known following his role as chief negotiator for the country in its dealings with the EU.
But there is some speculation as to what commission portfolio Orban could be taking up.
It is thought he will take part of the culture and education portfolio of Slovak commissioner Jan Figel.
Suspicions were aroused over the suitability of Romania’s commission candidate last week when the EU executive refused to confirm what portfolio Vosganian would be taking.
Bulgaria’s future commissioner was last week confirmed as Meglena Kuneva.
She will take up the position as EU commissioner for consumer affairs.
Socialist MEPs have welcomed Romania’s decision to withdraw their orginal candidate.
Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersma said Orban has “the necessary European experience.”
“However, we regret that because of the current divisions within the country, it was not possible for Romania to come forward with a more prominent political personality as its candidate,” they added.
“We look forward to the parliamentary hearings in which, as always, we will be rigorous but fair in testing the competence of the candidate to carry out this task.”
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