Jeleva case: seeking an “honorable” end to the crisis

(BRUSSELS2) Rumiana Jeleva, the Bulgarian commissioner, approached to take charge of humanitarian aid and crisis response continues to be in the hot seat. The question no longer seems to be whether she leaves. But how does she leave and with whom? Even if the Barroso II Commission seems assured of its future, the crisis is there and is undermining all discussions.

Back to the latest events.

- Tuesday, immediately after the hearing (read: Jeleva in front of the European Parliament. Bye bye Rumiana?) Jeleva takes refuge in a VIP lounge where, apparently, she is morally collapsing. In tears, she explains that she is stopping everything and resigning. Joseph Daul, the Frenchman who chairs the EPP, dissuades her.

- Tuesday Wednesday, the coordinators of the development committee meet to define a specific request: clarification from the legal department on the value of the declaration of interests, insufficient level of the commissioner

- Wednesday, the counter-offensive of the Christian Democrats of the EPP is taking place. First of all, delay any decision-making as much as possible. Then, try to take a socialist hostage to allow an exchange or at least an honorable exit. The target is first on Ashton, too high, impossible especially since a passable opinion has been given. Next, eyes turn to Sefcovic, the Slovak commissioner, a rather clumsy statement from 2005 about Roma and their profiting from the Slovak social system is highlighted. A little light. We wait for the next shot.

Thursday, the situation escalates.

- THE "EPP boys" insist heavily on Maros Sefcovic, sending a press release every 3 hours. The S&Ds reply by considering that several commissioners have not passed their entrance exam (in addition to Jeleva, the EPP Algirdas Semeta and the liberal Olli Rehn).

- A Sofia, the government dithers. First there seems to be a plan B, Nikolai Mladenov, the current defense minister, and former MEP. " It's the only one he would have said. Then the Prime Minister changes his mind and reaffirms that he has only one candidate, Jeleva. But he confides in an interview on national television that "there is nothing tragic if a commissioner is not endorsed, it is tragic that the previous government failed to construct our highways." !

Incidentally, he accuses the Socialists and Liberals in the European Parliament of having a grudge against Bulgaria. Replies to each other. The tension is rising another notch: this time between MEPs and the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

- It takes a turn of boxing general. And for those who experienced an identical situation, five years ago, with the Buttiglione affair (read: Five years ago ! Three failed commissioners), by dint of procrastinating, the Barroso II Commission seems to be taking the same path as the Barroso I Commission.

- The president of the european parliament, Jerzy Finally, Buzek signs Parliament's letter to Barroso taking up certain arguments from the Development Committee: 1° Is there anything in the statements of the Bulgarian commissioner that is contrary to the code of conduct for commissioners? 2° Does Barroso believe that she has the skills to perform the duties of Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response?

- Jeleva has still not been confirmed. And the more the hours pass, the more difficult it is. Even if a European newspaper New Europe published a translation (in English) of Bulgarian official documents which tend to clarify the situation. A second audition of Jeleva could be organised. Martin Schulz, the S&D leader, explains that it could be "worse than the first".

- On the side of José-Manuel Barroso, it is not the fact of maintaining Me Jeleva which is in question. But who can replace her with? N. Mladenov's Bulgarian proposal has several drawbacks, including having one more man on the Commission. We must also "save" the head of the EPP. And have a kind of balance...

NB: The opinion of the legal department should be known on Monday. Similarly, the coordinators of the development committee of the European Parliament, responsible for hearing Mr. Jeleva also meet on Monday. This gives a little more time to political negotiation.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)