Barroso announced the Romanian commissioner-designate on 30 October 2006, three days later than the Bulgarian candidate, Meglena Kuneva, who was given the consumer protection portfolio. Barroso said: “I am sure that Mr Orban, on the basis of his personnel, political and professional experience, qualities and commitment, will successfully carry out the responsibilities which I wish to assign him.”
Leonard Orban will be in charge of multilingualism, a portfolio taken from Jan Figel, current commissioner for education, training, culture and multilingualism. Figel said: “Languages are at the heart of the European identity, and the Commission’s role in this area, when it comes to translating the EU’s legislation, providing the necessary interpretation to thousands of meetings or encouraging the teaching of languages, is crucial.”
In 2007, the EU will have 23 languages, including Romanian, Bulgarian and Irish. Orban speaks Romanian, English, French and has passive Italian.
Members of the Socialist group in the European Parliament said that the new candidate had the “necessary European experience”, but added that they regret it was “not possible for Romania to come forward with a more prominent personality as its candidate”. The earlier Romanian candidate, Varujan Vosganian, was heavily criticised by members of the Socialist group for his “right-wing background” and having been “on the payroll of big economic tycoons”. Vosganian denied all allegations, but withdrew his candidacy on 28 October 2006 (see EurActiv, 30 October 2006).
The hearings in the Parliament are expected to take place on 27 and 28 November 2006 and the vote is likely to take place on 12 or 13 December 2006.
