Notice to amateurs: the Commission will return blow for blow

(BRUSSELS2) Jean-Claude Juncker knows all the gimmick good communication. In front of the press, this Wednesday, for what is his first performance as President of the European Commission, he played it to the fullest, taking pleasure in taking everyone backwards. A bit of content, a dash of self-irony, humor, the air of wanting to do more than his comm' manager and an ounce of voluntarism, all sprinkled with a real desire to act. And it passes... Even if, in the end, there is not a lot of background...

Notice to the press: Criticize me please!

It started with a wink. " I read your articles, I am surprised to see such a laudatory press ". " I'm afraid I've created a lot of expectations, people think I'm capable of anything. (Certainly) I am capable of anything, but not in the sense that you understand it. I'm afraid to disappoint. » So " please accompany me with a dose of criticism, (because) I am not capable of self-criticism. »

Find the initiative

This continued with the desire to find what gave strength and is the Commission's main (and unique) asset: initiative. " We have to ensure that the Commission regains its strategic role of initiative ". And to add as a "break" with the policy of his predecessor. " I am not the registry of a kern of anonymous bureaucrats, we are not bureaucrats, we are politicians. »

Warning to critics in bad faith...

Finally, it ends with a warning to those who criticize for fun, in particular the Heads of Member State who used to wipe their feet on the Commission, to attack it from behind, as soon as the doors of the European Council were closed , or back to their capitals. " I will respond to reviews where they come from. I am not a type who trembles in front of prime ministers and other authorities. I accept criticism of the Commission. But I do not accept unjustified criticism. Basically, the criticisms that consist of “dismantle” the collegiate work “before (the Commission beganto work”, It's over.

... The Commission pulls out its jet plane

Moreover Jean-Claude Juncker warns: “Everyone must know that there will be no attack on the Commission without reaction. To conclude, he quotes a few names without appearing. " I have no problem with Renzi. I have no problem with Cameron ”... But, well... A good listener hello!

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)