Die Welt: Bulgaria's Jeleva Made No Violation, to Be Withdrawn

Rumiana Jeleva has committed no violations in her conflict of interests declaration, according to a report in Die Welt newspaper. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria’s EU Commissioner-Designate Rumiana Jeleva has made no violations in her conflict of interest declaration.

This has been reported Monday by the German paper Die Welt, which cites its own sources from the legal service of the European Parliament.

Jeleva is to be clear of any claims she was involved in a conflict of interests in 2007-2009 when she was allegedly both a MEP and a manager of a private firm.

According to the political coordinators of the EP Development Committee, during her hearing last week, Jeleva was unconvincing in her knowledge for the humanitarian aid portfolio and in her attempts to disprove allegations she was involved in conflict of interests. The decision was thrown into the hands of the EP legal service, and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso before the Development Committee states its position Monday night.

Yet, in its Monday’s article entitled “The Week of Long Knives in Brussels”, the Germany paper Die Welt points out that Rumiana Jeleva is to be withdrawn as a Commissioner candidate by the government in Sofia.

According to the publication, this is the expectation of “leading circles” in the European People’s Party, one of whom is quoted as saying that it would be a miracle if somehow she gets confirmed.

German MEP Markus Ferber from the EPP is cited as stating that Jeleva is suitable for the position of EU Commissioner, and that he hopes the Liberals will stop their campaign against her.

Die Welt points out that despite the expected clearing of Jeleva by the EP legal service, things do not look well for the Bulgarian Commissioner designate as the political pressure on her is piling up, according to high-ranking EU diplomats.

The majority of the MEPs from all parties are said to have serious doubts about her capacities. Most of all, the Socialists as the second largest EP group are demanding her withdrawal.

Die Welt says that Bulgaria’s PM Boyko Borisov might use his “Plan B”, i.e. proposing another bidder for the Bulgarian Commissioner spot, and that this is most likely going to be Defense Minister Nikolay Mladenov.

Yet, the German paper says that this turn of events would put of the confirmation of the new EU Commission for March as Mladenov would need time to prepare for his hearing.

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