The incoming European President, Jean-Claude Juncker needs an instant remake of his Commission, following a vote against Alenka Bratušek, his nominee for the Energy Union dossier.
However, Spain’s Miguel Arias Cañete, Juncker’s choice for the energy and climate portfolio, rode out the storm over his nomination.
Arias Cañete’s links to the oil industry had raised questions about the appropriateness of his candidacy, and it was not clear if he could survive following his hearing last week. Over 600,000 people signed a petition, run by the online campaign group Avaaz, demanding Arias Cañete be replaced.
However, political dynamics swung in his favour and he received 83-42 votes, with the informal agreement between the Parliament’s two largest parties, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the centre-left Socialist (S&D) party, holding, despite looking fragile over the past week.
The political horse-trading has been widely discredited by the Green party and Green NGOs, and may bruise the S&D brand. S&D, “caved in”, said Green MEP, Reinhard Bütikofer.
With Cañete approved, the EPP is now likely sign off on Pierre Moscovici, the centre-left French nominee, according to the understanding between EPP and S&D.
Energy deserves attention
Bratušek’s performance in her hearing was roundly criticised earlier this week, and EPP parliamentarians seized upon her rejection as an opportunity to talk up Arias Cañete.
“Energy deserves more ambition,” said Krišjānis Kariņš, the EPP’s spokesman on the Industry, Research and Energy committee. “We need a strong Commissioner for this important portfolio. Alenka Bratušek’s answers throughout most of the hearing weren’t concrete, especially compared to Arias Cañete’s.”
Bratušek was defeated by 112 votes to 13.
Rebuilding the house of cards
There is more shifting to do, with Hungary’s Tibor Navracsics, getting the thumbs down on Monday for the Culture, Education and Citizenship portfolio.
Juncker’s spokeswoman, Mina Andreeva, played down the process, saying that Juncker will decide on the line-up following a sit down with MEPs.
With 22 October the expected date on which MEPs will vote en masse for Juncker’s team, consultations and further hearings are likely to take place next week.
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