It would be mistake not to nominate Dombrovskis for EU Commissioner - Zile

RIGA - The current Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, the leader of the New Unity's ticket for the European Parliament (EP) elections, will be nominated from Latvia for the post of the European Commissioner, and it would be  "an absolute mistake" not to nominate him, Roberts Zile, the leader of the National Alliance ticket in the EP elections, told LETA in an interview.

Zile explained that each European Union (EU) member state has one commissioner, nominated by the country's prime minister, and the task of the commissioner is to represent the interests of the European community, i.e. the interests of the EU as a whole, not national interests. Zile believes that Dombrovskis has shown himself very well in the European Commission (EC), both in foreign trade matters and as Vice-President, looking at economic issues.

"I do not see any reason why Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity), knowing what is the majority of  the New Unity in the Saeima and the government, should not nominate Dombrovskis. (...) Not to nominate him would be an absolute mistake! He will get the best portfolio in the EC," believes Zile.

The politician suggested that the only motivation to nominate another candidate could be if there is "some intra-party agreement" to nominate former Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity), but in Zile's opinion, this would be a mistake. However, he does not consider a candidate from other parties a credible option.

"I know that there are countries where there are other arrangements. For example, in the Czech Republic there is a very complex coalition and they have an agreement that one of the smaller parties in the government is nominated for the post of Commissioner. They have that arrangement. But I have not heard that there was an agreement between New Unity, Progressives and the Union of Greens and Farmers, when they formed the coalition, that the Commissioner would not be from New Unity. Therefore, I do not see any intrigue here. And Dombrovskis is a good candidate because he represents the common interests of Europe well," said Zile.