Jeleva hangs in the balance, Schulz wages partisan warfare

One document can clear Jeleva

13 January 2010 - Issue : 869

Updates: Check-mate; Jeleva unsalvable; a commentary, Documents clear Jeleva of allegations , Borisov opens the door for new Commission nominee

The document that could clear Jeleva

Concerning the commercial activities of Jeleva, the issue becomes quite technical.

According to Bulgarian legal experts, the detail that is important according to Bulgarian law is not the date that Jeleva was removed from heading the company in question. Commercial law hinges on the point in time she requested to be removed from the management of the company, and not when the request materialized in official registers.

The issue of Jeleva’s commercial interests has stirred up the Parliament, and unfortunately took over from the substance as to whether Jeleva is knowledgeable on the issues pertaining to her portfolio. Critics suggest that the issue of Jeleva’s commercial matters should not have entered the hearings as such a matter requires investigation, paperwork, and legal expertise which cannot be provided in a 3 hour period.

Open partisan warfare?

The European People’s Party (EPP) understands that they cannot afford to lose Jeleva from this process – the more so that she has recently been elected vice-president of the party.

The EPP Group wants to maintain Jeleva, and will fight to defend her. But the issue hinges on two issues – firstly, whether the paperwork clears Jeleva, and secondly, the impending actions of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Joseph Daul, the Chairman of the EPP Group, reacted with cautious support to the hearing of January 12, saying that he would like the situation clarified as soon as possible. Daul deplored the unfounded allegations and personal attacks that dominated Mrs Jeleva's hearing.

"My Group is, at least as much as the others, committed to the principles of transparency and honesty; naturally it expects the Commissioners to be above reproach. But it is fiercely opposed to all unfounded accusations".

Daul proceeded to bring a second issue to the forefront, implying that issues have gone beyond the substance, and enter the realm of partisan politics. "I would like certain political groups to stop acting in an irresponsible and partial manner during these hearings."

Schulz to visit Barroso

Meanwhile according to the spokesperson of Socialist leader Martin Schulz, Schulz is supposed to be meeting Barroso this afternoon to request a new Bulgarian nomination. According to President Barroso’s spokesperson, there has not been any such arrangement made yet (As of 3pm).

The Socialist Group meeting held on Wednesday AM and finishing at 12 pm decided that Jeleva’s responses were incompetent for their role and moved to have the President of the Group Martin Schulz request a replacement for the Commissioner Delegate of Humanitarian aid, emergencies and international cooperation from Commission President Barroso.

According to MEP Corina Cretu, the vice-chair of the Development Committee, the reason for this request is not Jeleva’s commercial activity, but her performance in responding to portfolio related questions during the portion of the hearing that did not center on other issues.

Letters, letters, letters

Earlier today, sources suggested that a letter requesting a new Bulgarian nominee would be sent from either the Development Committee or the office of Martin Schulz. The former possibility was shot down as EPP members of the committee were very vocal in their objections to any letter emanating from the committee with such a request.

Sources suggest that two letters will however be sent, from the convenors of the Development Committee, one to Barroso, and the other to the European Parliaments legal services. These letters will request clarifications solely on the matter of the accuracy of her financial declarations. The EPP members of the Development committee are not happy with this development but are “sitting on their hands” until the allegations are cleared up.

Commercial Interests

MEP Corina Cretu, the vice-chair of the Development Committee told New Europe that within the closed door discussions held last night to appraise Jeleva's interview the Parliamentary Committee only moved on the financial documents provided in order to make sure that all issues pertaining to their substance and the actual status of Jeleva's position could be made clear before continuing on with a thorough appraisal of her capabilities as a potential Commissioner.

Cretu said that yesterday’s hearings clearly showed Jeleva “came completely unprepared” to tackle the Commissioners role. She also noted that in her opinion Ms Jeleva should not continue, as under Bulgarian law it seems perfectly clear that she was both in private and public offices.

Full reports from the European Parliament's Commission hearings can be found here.

The main point of contention regarding Rumiana Jeleva’s confirmation as Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response has been he role in a company called ‘Global Consult’. According to sources, the final decision to confirm Jeleva’s appointment has been postponed to Monday the 18^th of January in Strasbourg, as the ball is now in the court of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Socialist leader Martin Schulz is determined to leave his mark in the procedures, and “supposed to be” meeting Barroso to request a new nomination from Bulgaria this afternoon.