The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday approved MEP Andrius Kubilius’ nomination for the post of the country’s European commissioner.
The motion was passed with 70 votes in favor, 24 against, and 15 abstaining.
“Andrius has not only managed to unite Brussels but also to politically unite the parliaments of all European countries in support of Ukraine,” Zygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, told the parliament.
“Key decisions – Ukraine’s candidate status and, finally, the negotiations – became a reality because this person was able to bring everyone together thanks to his strategic wisdom and patience,” he said.
“Many accomplishments can be attributed to Andrius Kubilius: the creation of the Statute of the Seimas Statute, the establishment of the Committee on European Affairs, and the development of the strategy to contain Russia, among many other things,” said Eugenijus Gentvilas, head of the Liberal Movement’s political group in the parliament.
Ausrine Armonaite, leader of the Freedom Party, joked that, out of all the women proposed by her party for the European Commission, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte chose Kubilius.
“And yet, we think that this is an excellent candidate,” she added.
Opposition MPs were skeptical of the candidacy before the vote and urged the parliament against supporting it.
“Even though he is a veteran, we all know who Andrius Kubilius is. We know he wants the defense commissioner’s position, but his personal and professional qualities are very weak,” Dainius Gaizauskas of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union said.
“Perhaps he has aged or developed fears… But that’s the reality. That’s why he can’t be a European commissioner. Now, when people in Lithuania hear Kubilius’ name, they cross themselves, and soon, all of Europe might do the same,” he said.
Non-attached MP Arturas Skardzius criticized decisions made during Kubilius’ time as prime minister, including the purchase of the liquefied natural gas terminal and the sale of the Mažeikiu Nafta crude refinery.
In his speech before the parliament, Kubilius stressed that Europe is facing a new, deep geopolitical security crisis, making security and defense top priorities for the European Commission in the near future.
The politician said that Lithuania should aim for portfolios related to defense, security and EU enlargement.
The former prime minister from the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats was proposed for the post of Lithuania’s European commissioner after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the conservative party’s leader.
Kubilius, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.
Lithuania’s candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.
The candidate also requires the endorsement of the European Commission president and the European Parliament.
Source: BNS
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