BRUSSELS, Jul 24 () –
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Wednesday that the government has unanimously approved Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela as a candidate for EU Commissioner for the new legislative term.
“He is a relevant candidate with successful experience in both the private and political spheres. I believe he will be a strong member of the European Commission,” he said on social network X, adding that “he has extensive experience in the international environment.”
For his part, Síkela has said on the aforementioned social network that it is “a great honour” to have been chosen for “this important position”. “I thank you for your trust. I will do everything possible to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
Lukas Vlcek, deputy chairman of the Mayors and Independents (STAN) party, is being considered as a possible successor to Síkela in the industry and trade portfolio, CTK news agency reports.
Following the European Parliament’s approval of Von der Leyen’s renewal as head of the Community Executive, a period has now opened for each Member State to present its candidates to the German for a seat in the College of Commissioners, where there will be one representative for each EU country.
Once von der Leyen has decided on the composition of her team and the distribution of portfolios, the appointed commissioners will undergo an examination in the corresponding European parliamentary committees, which will assess the suitability and competence of each one.
This process will begin in the autumn and the European Parliament will vote on the composition of the College of Commissioners in October, which may approve or reject the whole but not modify individual candidates. Once the process is complete and according to the planned timeframe, the new European Commission will begin its mandate in November.
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