PM Vanhanen stresses EU Commission's independence of European Parliament

"No need for Finland to take stand on suitability of Italian Commissioner-designate"

Matti Vanhanen

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) said that there is no need for Finland to take any stand on the suitability of Italian European Commissioner-designate Rocco Buttiglione. According to Vanhanen, it is Italy’s concern to decide whether he should be replaced by another designate or not.
      ”We would not like it if other EU member countries started changing Finnish designates in the Commission - approving, rejecting, or putting pressure on us in the matter”, Vanhanen remarked in a press conference on Thursday.
      Moreover, he indicated that the Finnish Government supports the independence of the Commission in relation to the European Council and the European Parliament.
      ”We should not change over to a new system in which the Parliament has more influence on the choice of commissioners”, Vanhanen argued.
      According to Vanhanen, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso showed a positive grasp of the realities when he withdrew the team that he had proposed for the next Commission.
     
The Prime Minister did not take any stand on Buttiglione’s controversial opinions. With his conservative views on homosexuality and the position of women, the Italian designate has acquired a questionable reputation within the EU.
      ”We will have to get used to the fact that depending on the member countries, the European Commission will include conservatives as well as liberals and socialists - a wide spectrum of European values and opinions”.
      Vanhanen added, ”The main point is that in their decisions the commissioners will stick to the values that have been commonly agreed upon. ”
      Furthermore, Vanhanen expects that the issue of the new Commission will be the topic of unofficial discussions at today’s summit in Rome, where the leaders will sign the EU Constitution and its Final Act, as well as at the Brussels European Council summit that will take place next week. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, accompanied by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, (Social Democrat) will attend both summits.
     
On the subject of Italy’s next moves, Vanhanen said he had no information. Apparently, the alternatives would be to find a new Commissioner-designate for Justice, Freedom and Security, or to change Buttiglione’s portfolio on the Commission.
      On the other hand, Vanhanen indirectly criticised the EU Parliament for focusing the judgment on Buttiglione’s portfolio rather than on him as a person with controversial views.
     
At this stage, the political crisis surrounding the new Commission does not seem to change the position of the Finnish Commissioner-designate Olli Rehn as Commissioner for Enlargement, the Prime Minister noted.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Commission shakeup: Finnish designate not concerned about own position (28.10.2004)

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