Whom and by when can we expect to see as the President of the European Commission? Which posts are of interest to Poland and which does it stand a chance of winning? Interview with Ryszard Czarnecki MEP.
Ryszard Czarnecki talks about European Commission's Presidential elections. In spite of Donald Tusk's optimism, it will not be easy to find a majority candidate. According to the principle adopted after the last elections, where Great Britain and Hungary opposed the candidature of Claude Juncker as President of the Commission, the President of the EC should be appointed unanimously.
She comes from our region and understands countries in our part of Europe, Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe. Apart from that she enjoys excellent relations with the President of the Republic of Poland, dr. Andrzej Duda.
The major candidates include the socialist Frans Timmermans, Manfred Weber from the European People's Party and the Danish Margrethe Vestager representing the liberals. According to the MEP, neither the first not the second of those stand a chance of securing a majority. And that is good news for Poland, which was attacked by both in the past. In Czarnecki's opinion, for us it would be best if Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the incumbent President of Croatia, was to be elected to lead the EC. And he also considers it likely that the new EC President will take office in autumn, similar to 10 years ago.
Three factors are decisive when it comes to winning these top European posts: geographical parities, national interests and political parities.
The race is also on for the President of the European Central Bank's post as well as seven Vice-Presidents of the European Commission. The guest at Poranek WNET said that Poland is particularly interested in climate, energy and foreign policy. He adds that according to the equality principle between member states, if Manfred Weber was to become the EC President, then a German would not stand a chance of winning the ECB President's seat. And this also means that Poland's chances of winning major posts are small, as these were held by Poles in recent terms: Jerzy Buzek and Donald Tusk. On the other hand PiS is most likely to have two people in the Bureau of the European Parliament – Zdzisław Krasnodębski and Karol Karski, with PO only represented by Ewa Kopacz.
With reference to the Kyoto Protocol , Poland was to reduce CO2 emissions by 6% whereas it actually managed to bring that figure down by 30%.
Czarnecki also addressed vetoes by representatives of seven countries (Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and Croatia) of EU climate propositions, which in his opinion are "very unfavourable". In his opinion these countries should seek compensation from the EU for the costs of implementing the climate policy. He emphasises that, as opposed to the old EU-15, Poland has exceeded Kyoto Protocol targets.
Radio WNET