Romanian leaders’ squabble over Commission pick

Romania’s political leaders are at loggerheads over the country’s nominee for the next European Commission, with the president accusing the caretaker prime minister of being “irresponsible” for putting someone forward for the job when she has no legal right to do so.

Viorica Dăncilă, who is caretaker prime minister after losing a confidence vote in the parliament earlier this month, on Tuesday said Victor Negrescu was her choice to join Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission. She told reporters in northern Romania that Negrescu, a 34-year-old former MEP and ex-minister, was the right fit for the job.

Officials close to von der Leyen’s transition team confirmed they received the nomination letter but flagged that it was not supported by the president of Romania.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis swiftly pushed back against the nomination, saying the caretaker government did not have the power to make the nomination and calling on Dăncilă to stop the process.

Via Politico