Commission shakeup: Finnish designate not concerned about own position

Rehn calls Barroso's move "wise decision"

Olli Rehn

Alexander Stubb

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The announcement by incoming European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on Wednesday to withdraw the team that he had proposed for the next Commission was called a "wise decision" by the Finnish commissioner-designate Olli Rehn. He does not think that his position in the EU's executive is in any jeopardy.
      The announcement to the European Parliament in Strasbourg came shortly before the body was to vote on a new Commission. By withdrawing his proposal, Barroso avoided the prospect of possible rejection over the conservative views on homosexuality and the position of women voiced by Italian designate Rocco Buttiglione.
      Although the move could lead to a reshuffle in portfolios on the Commission, Olli Rehn, who has been slated for the position of Commissioner for Enlargement, does not think that his position in the EU’s executive is in any jeopardy.
     
According to Rehn, Barroso’s decision makes it possible for the new Commission to start its work more quickly than if the Parliament had voted it down.
      "Barroso was between a rock and a hard place - between the member states and the Parliament on the one hand, and also within the Parliament. His room to manoeuvre was very limited", Rehn pointed out.
      For the Finnish conservative MEP Alexander Stubb, the move was a great relief, because it saved him from voting against his will according to the decision of his political group.
      "The decision was the right one. The situation was pushing us against the wall that only opponents of the EU would have wanted us to run into. Now Barroso bought more time for negotiations", Stubb said.
      On Friday, EU Presidency-holder The Netherlands will arrange a meeting of leaders of the EU member states on the issue during the summit in Rome. At the summit, the leaders will also sign the draft EU Constitution.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish commissioner wants tough conditions for Turkey in EU talks (5.10.04)
  Future President of European Commission calls on Russia to respect human rights (28.9.2002)
  Finland's Olli Rehn gets Enlargement portfolio in European Commission (13.8.04)

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