The Slovenia Times

Cerar Expects Support for Bulc in Brussels, End to "Political Dribbling"

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Cerar, who put forward the 50-year-old political novice as a candidate after his self-nominated predecessor Alenka Bratušek was overwhelmingly rejected in the European Parliament, said that all the conversations he has held with Junker so far had gone well and that Juncker did not oppose his arguments.

The prime minister noted it would not be right if "these European political dribblings, beforehand opinions, prejudice and assumptions" would significantly affect decisions in the European Parliament and other relevant bodies.

Juncker "brought to my attention certain developments on the European political scene, but gave me a free hand entirely, since he understands that this is in the domain of the Slovenian government", as stipulated in EU legislation.

Meanwhile, commenting on the tensions within the government coalition regarding Bulc's nomination, Cerar stressed that his SMC party got substantial voter support in the July general election and carried the appropriate responsibility in such important decisions.

The decision was "reached in a democratic procedure while it is true that there was no coalition agreement in the end", Cerar said.

Commenting on Socialist MEP Tanja Fajon, which was favoured by the fellow coalition SocDems and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and had the backing of the EPP an S&D in the European Parliament, Cerar said he valued her extremely and was confident she would continue to perform very well as an MEP.

As regards outgoing Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, whom Cerar backed at the beginning of the nomination conundrum in July, Cerar said that he had also been considered as an option, but that a clear message came from Juncker as well as other relevant players that a female candidate is desired.

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