Mixed reactions to the portfolio received by Romania
Romania’s Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said he was satisfied with the People, Skills and Readiness portfolio allocated to Romania in the next European Commission. At the same time, the Liberal Party, a coalition partner in the government, appeared to find the portfolio somewhat disappointing.”
Social Democrat MEP Roxana Mînzatu will be executive vice-president for people, skills and preparedness, overseeing areas such as skills development, education, culture, quality jobs and social rights.
Following the announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ciolacu described Romania’s portfolio as “significant”, with responsibility for “one-fifth of the EU budget – €235 billion”.
Initially, Ciolacu had suggested MEP Victor Negrescu, expressing a preference for an economic portfolio. Now, however, he claims the portfolio is “one of the most important” and expressed satisfaction that Romania has secured a vice president position in the Commission for the first time since joining the European Union.
Despite its government alliance with the Social Democrats, the Liberal Party is not enthusiastic about the portfolio. It is “empty of substance, without concrete powers”, MEP Siegfried Mureșan (EPP) reacted in a press release.
According to Mureșan, Ciolacu has secured a portfolio with a “grand title” but no economic focus, instead focusing on social issues “without clear responsibilities” and lacking influence over the Commission’s key decision-making areas affecting Romania. Mureșan sees this as a “failure”, stressing that Romania’s main concerns are cohesion, agriculture, investment and industry.
Similarly, USR MEP Vlad Voiculescu criticised the portfolio as “small” with “no real power”, describing the role of executive vice president as a mere “consolation prize”.
“Education, jobs, and social rights are areas where the EU has limited concrete influence”, said USR, while one of its deputies, Iulian Bulai, announced plans for discussions in the European Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies to examine the negotiation process and understand why Romania had been “marginalised.”
On the other hand, former EU Agriculture Commissioner and Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș congratulated the Romanian government on securing the position of Executive Vice-President.
Cioloș (REPER/Renew) acknowledged that although the portfolio is not explicitly covered by many provisions of the European treaties, it carries considerable political and financial weight. He noted that the European social model, jobs, and skills development for the digital future will be “key issues in the European debate in the coming years”.
(Catalina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)
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