Euro-MPs doubt competence of Bulgarian EU pick

(STRASBOURG) - A majority of EU deputies has serious doubts about the competence of Bulgaria's EU commission nominee Rumiana Jeleva, with only the centre-right group supporting her, parliamentary sources said Monday.

That is bad news for EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso who is seeking to put together a cabinet of 26 policy commissioners nominated by the European capitals.

At a meeting of representatives of the main political groups in Strasbourg only Jeleva's political family, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), defended her, one of the MEPs present said.

While the EPP is the biggest group in the Strasbourg chamber it does not itself command a majority and needs support if the current Bulgarian foreign minister is to be confirmed by the parliament as the EU's humanitarian aid commissioner.

The parliament's development committee is set to meet behind closed doors on Tuesday to decide its formal opinion on Jeleva.

They will then give their opinion to EU parliament president Jerzy Buzek.

Jeleva came under fire during questioning by MEPs last week both over her preparedness for the post and also allegations that there were gaps in her declaration of financial interests.

Hardly any of the Euro MPs on Monday voiced doubts on her probity, focussing on her competence for the job following last week's unimpressive performance from the woman who hopes, in a couple of week's time, to take charge of a portfolio which will include aid for the Haitian earthquake victims.

If the MEPs' advice is unfavourable Barroso could be forced to let her go, or face his whole team being blocked, thereby provoking a major crisis as the commission is due to begin functioning next month.

Several European deputies criticise Jeleva for giving vague answers or worse to questions on her area of competence during the original parliamentary hearing on January 12.

One euro deputy suggested that Jeleva would do well to withdraw her name, adding that "no one wants to see her humiliated."

A report by the parliament's legal experts did not reveal any problems with her most recent financial declaration, though it did suggest problems with earlier version she lodged while a member of the European parliament from 2007-2009

In legal terms these earlier statements are "not directly relevant" the legal service said in a letter seen by AFP.

"I welcome the finding by the European Parliament's Legal Services that the Declarations of Interest by Rumiana Jeleva conform fully to the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Commission," declared EPP vice chairman Jozsef Szajer.

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov have voiced relatively guarded support for Jeleva.

"If she accepted to become European commissioner, it was her duty to get her papers in order. If this was not the case, she will not have my support," Borisov said on Friday.

He has also said that he has a "Plan B" up his sleeve if required.

Barroso is well aware that there is a precedent from his first attempt to set up a commission team.

In 2004, as nominees were being vetted, the parliament forced the withdrawal of Italian candidate Rocco Buttiglione over his views on gay rights.

The political battle lines were drawn last week when EPP vice-chairman Jozsef Szajer sniffed a "witch hunt," denouncing "unfounded allegations" against Jeleva.

The centre-right MEPs began targeting Slovak commission candidate Maros Sefcovic, over controversial comments on the Roma people, in a tit-for-tat response.