By: Ž. N. (Nova24tv)
“At the very least, she should be politically correct and impartial. She does not even meet that basic requirement,” said MEP Dr.Milan Zver, criticising the Slovenian European Commissioner after she interfered in Slovenia’s internal politics by stating that she does not wish for the next government to be led by SDS leader and multiple-time former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Commissioner Marta Kos stated in an interview for the special summer issue of Mladina that she “does not wish for Slovenia to once again have a government led by Janez Janša.” “This is a biased statement, amounting to direct interference in the political scene of an EU member state with the intent to influence it,” warned MEP Dr Milan Zver in a statement to our media outlet.
Violation of her own rules
According to Zver, there are at least two legal frameworks that prohibit such behaviour. One is Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union, which demands complete independence and restraint from European Commissioners in making any political statements – especially those that could influence or undermine democratic processes in member states. “What she said is exactly in conflict with that article,” he emphasised, reminding that all European Commissioners signed a code of conduct that prohibits expressing personal political preferences in EU member states, meaning no political favouritism. “The Slovenian Commissioner has made a major mistake at least twice. She violated her own rules,” Zver stressed, adding that he has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, asking, among other things, whether the Commission intends to take any action regarding Kos.
In response to a question about whether he believes the Commissioner has demonstrated that she may not be fully fit for her role, Zver said she should at least be politically correct and impartial. “She does not even meet that basic requirement,” he noted, adding that similar situations can happen with other Commissioners. “Interestingly, it tends to happen mostly with left-leaning Commissioners, who, as the case of Věra Jourová shows, seem to be interfering in the political circumstances of EU member states,” he pointed out. He added that Kos is most likely familiar with his legal dispute involving Jourová.
In light of the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling on the matter, Zver believes Kos should have been far more careful and judicious with her statements. “The European Court is aware that the European Commission should be a completely non-political body and should not interfere in the political affairs of EU member states. But some overlook this,” he emphasised, adding that he expects even more legal proceedings in the future. “I did not initially want to take Jourová to court, I tried to resolve things through administrative procedures and requested access to documentation as allowed by law. But they refused, complicated matters, and I was forced to go to court.”
The European Commission should take action
“This is a fairly sensitive issue, especially when it comes to the relationship between a European institution and an EU member state. Many matters do not fall under Brussels’ jurisdiction. The principle of subsidiarity applies, and this should be respected by eurocrats, especially those in top positions,” the MEP said, asserting that the European Commission should take action. “I do not know what mechanisms they have for monitoring and overseeing their Commissioners, but there must be something. The President of the European Commission should pay very, very close attention to this,” he concluded.
