Slovenia’s pick for the next EU Commissioner, Marta Kos, has responded to allegations of links to the former Yugoslav secret services made by the head of Slovenia’s EPP delegation. Kos denied the accusations, stating that she has been vetted by security services in both Germany and Switzerland without any issues. She also highlighted her extensive experience in various roles, including as an ambassador and government spokesperson. Kos criticized the suggestion that she was nominated solely because she is a woman, emphasizing the importance of expertise and competence.
The controversy surrounding Kos’s nomination has sparked a political row in Slovenia, with accusations of last-minute changes and sabotage between Prime Minister Robert Golob and the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party. The original nominee, Tomaž Vesel, was replaced with Kos at the last minute, leading to further delays in the approval process.
Kos must now attend a hearing of the Slovenian National Assembly’s EU Affairs Committee, which was originally scheduled for September 13. The political storm in Slovenia threatens to disrupt President Ursula von der Leyen’s plans for her new Commission. The situation highlights the political tensions and scrutiny surrounding EU Commissioner nominations in Slovenia.
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