EU Parliament Postpones Vice-President Approvals Amid Political Wrangling

EU Parliament Postpones Vice-President Approvals Amid Political Wrangling

elpais.com

EU Parliament Postpones Vice-President Approvals Amid Political Wrangling

The European Parliament postponed the approval of six vice-presidents due to political maneuvering by the Spanish Popular Party against Teresa Ribera, causing tension and potential delays in forming the new European Commission.

Spanish
Spain
PoliticsEuropean UnionCommissionDelayApproval
European ParliamentPartido Popular Europeo (Epp)Spanish Popular Party (Pp)European CommissionSocial Democrats
Teresa RiberaUrsula Von Der LeyenManfred WeberIratxe GarcíaJosé Manuel Albares
How might Ursula von der Leyen react to a significant delay?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to approve the new European Commission quickly due to the international situation, but the PP's actions could cause significant delays. She might intervene if the delay is excessive.
What is the reaction of the Spanish government to the PP's actions?
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares criticized the PP's actions as irresponsible, disloyal, and unpatriotic, emphasizing the need for unity and a swift start to the new European Commission. The situation highlights the tension and political maneuvering within the European Parliament.
What is the Spanish Popular Party's role in delaying the evaluations?
The Spanish Popular Party (PP), maneuvering against socialist Teresa Ribera, is pushing for a further delay in the vice-president evaluations, possibly until next week. This move has caused discontent among other parliamentary groups, who consider it inappropriate.
What is the potential consequence of blocking Teresa Ribera's nomination?
Social Democrats threaten to block all vice-president approvals if Teresa Ribera's nomination is blocked by the PP and EPP. The delay could also affect Italian commissioner Raffaele Fitto's approval and complicate the logistics of the Parliament.
Why were the evaluations of the candidate European Commissioners postponed?
The European Parliament postponed the evaluations of the candidate European Commissioners for the six vice-presidencies to ensure no group could hold a candidate hostage. The decision was made after several political groups reached an agreement to vote on the suitability of all vice-presidents after the hearings conclude.