Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the national leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Thursday that he has picked MEP Victor Negrescu for the position of European commissioner on behalf of Romania.

Ciolacu was asked at a press conference in Brussels what proposal he made for the position of European commissioner.

„As for the position of commissioner, it’s not the first time I’ve said it, I went with a name. He is the current vice-president of the European Parliament, Mr Victor Negrescu. Of course, we have also made a calendar, I hope that by Monday at the latest we will submit the proposal on behalf of the Romanian government. This is an exclusive power of the prime minister, but, as is normal – and we have already established with [National Liberal Party] Chairman Nicolae Ciuca – we will have a discussion in the coming days. Also, institutionally, if we want a certain normalcy, I will also have a discussion with the president of Romania, because he is Romania’s representative in the European Council,” Ciolacu said.

He added that before Thursday’s visit to Brussels he had no discussion with President Klaus Iohannis on the European commissioner pick.

„We were to have a discussion after I had the discussion with the President [President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen], which is normal. But I also had a discussion with Mr Ciuca before his post and after his post telling him that I will not put forward a name before we meet and have this discussion within the coalition as well.”

Ciolacu added that he wants a portfolio as relevant as possible, such as the economy, taking into account that Romania is the sixth largest country in the European Union.

AGERPRES