Lithuanian govt officially proposes Kubilius for European commissioner

VILNIUS – The government on Wednesday formally asked for approval from President Gitanas Nauseda and the parliament for MEP Andrius Kubilius' nomination as Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission.

This marks the first official step in the procedure of appointing Lithuania's European commissioner. Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has already obtained informal approval for the former prime minister's candidacy from President Gitanas Nauseda, along with the backing of the ruling coalition parties.

"I'd like to start the formal procedures for Kubilius' nomination, because the ruling majority's political groups in the parliament have met and discussed the support, and I think there are no obstacles to starting the procedure," Simonyte told the Cabinet, describing the commissioner nomination process in Lithuania as "baroquely complex"

"I want to believe that the opposition groups, if they look at it objectively, will also be able to set aside their biases and appreciate Kubilius' experience and abilities," she added. 

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.

Later, after the summer recess, candidate hearings are scheduled to take place in the relevant committees of the European Parliament in Brussels.

The European Parliament will then vote on the approval of the full European Commission in a plenary session.

Kubilius' name came up for consideration after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the ruling conservatives' leader. 

The president on Tuesday described Kubilius as an active and consistent politician and referred to the foreign minister, who withdrew from the race for the European Commission post, as a "narrowly-focused" contender.

Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas and leader of the Liberal Movement, has said the parliament may vote on Kubilius' nomination either during an extraordinary session or at the start of its regular fall session on September 10.

Kubilius has been cautious in commenting on his candidacy, saying only that his priority as a Commission member would be a portfolio where Lithuania has "exceptional and unique experience", such as the bloc's enlargement.

The former prime minister, who has served as an MEP since 2019 and was re-elected for a second term this year, 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.