Centre-right EPP claims right to head European Commission: Juncker
(BRUSSELS) - Jean-Claude Juncker, the centre-right European People's Party's choice to head the European Commission, said Sunday the group was winning European Parliament elections, giving it the right to the post.
"The EPP is winning the European elections and accordingly claims the presidency of the European Commission," former Luxembourg premier Juncker said in a message on Twitter.
The five main political groups in the outgoing Parliament, where the EPP was the largest, named candidates to the post which will be decided by EU leaders who are meant to take into account the outcome of the elections.
Previously, the 28 EU member state leaders named the Commission head by themselves, usually settling on a name after lengthy political horse trading.
Juncker's statement Sunday seems like a pre-emptive strike amid speculation they are reluctant to cede Parliament such a say in naming the head of the Commission, the EU's executive arm.
Herman Van Rompuy, who chairs the European Council which groups the 28 leaders, has made clear in recent weeks that it was not ready to give way so easily.
The new head of the Commission, due to be named in July, will have to command "a majority in the European Parliament and a large majority in the Council," Van Rompuy said, putting the stress on the latter requirement.
Juncker and the other candidates have all stressed that if the Council were to choose someone other than them, then there would be a huge cost to pay in terms of damage to the EU's democratic credibility, with parliament its only elected body.
Socialist leader and candidate Martin Schulz warned in an election debate that if the member states "dared to nominate" an outside candidate, then Parliament's answer would be clear -- it would not confirm the Council's choice, as is required for them to take office, leaving the EU in an impasse.