[romania_eu_list] Romania to find new EU candidate

[Vali Nas]

Romania 
to find new EU candidate
By Christopher Condon in Budapest and Sarah 
Laitnerin Brussels
Published: October 29 2006 20:40 | Last updated: 
October 29 2006 20:40

Romania scrambled over the weekend to find a 
candidate for its top job at the European Commission after its nominee withdrew 
amid claims that he had unsuitable ties to big business and was unknown outside 
the country.
José Manuel Barroso, European Commission 
president, last night received the name of a new candidate for Romania’s seat on 
the EU’s executive. But the name was not made public.
The decision by Varujan Vosganian, the original candidate, 
to stand aside is embarrassing for Romania, whose entry to the union next year 
is already embroiled in controversy over reforms in the country. But his action 
is likely to bring behind-the-scenes relief to Brussels and Mr Barroso, who is 
believed to have had concerns about the appointment process in 
Bucharest.
Speculation in Bucharest over who might be the new 
nominee centred on Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, the 38-year-old foreign minister who 
has impressed many at home and abroad. However, Corinna Vintan, a spokeswoman 
for Mr Ungureanu, said he would be staying in his current post.
Another possibility as a candidate is deputy 
European affairs minister Leonard Orban, an independent who was chief negotiator 
for Romania in its dealings with the European Union
Calin Tariceanu, prime minister, last week 
nominated Mr Vosganian, a prominent senator from his own National Liberal party. 
His selection was part of a deal that allowed Traian Basescu, president, to 
replace the liberal defence minister, with whom he had been feuding, with a 
member of the president’s former party, the Democrats.
However, Mr Vosganian, a pro-market champion who 
helped design Romania’s flat tax, was attacked by the European Socialist Group 
for allegedly having close ties to corrupt businessmen. Two Romanian newspapers 
then accused Mr Vosganian of having collaborated with the Securitate, Romania’s 
infamous secret police under dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu.
Mr Vosganian denied all the accusations. Mr 
Basescu also announced the secret service heads had found no files indicating Mr 
Vosganian was a former agent or informer. Bucharest’s choice of Mr Vosganian had 
come as a surprise to Mr Barroso, who was irritated Romanian government 
infighting had thrown the nomination process into chaos. The Commission 
president is haunted by the shambles at the start of his administration two 
years ago, when embarrassing questions were raised about the French and Italian 
candidates.
Romania and Bulgaria were last month given the 
go-ahead to join the union on January 1 on condition they complete reforms. 
Meglena Kuneva, Bulgarian minister for European affairs, was this month 
confirmed by Mr Barroso as EU commissioner for consumer affairs. 

Copyright The Financial Times 
Limited 2006

----------------------------
 
Vali
An 
aristocratic title is not enough to ensure a noble behaviour.  A person's 
greatness comes from acknowledging the mistakes and agreeing to correct 
them.
"When 
the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi 
Hendrix)
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