Strasbourg, 20/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - From all the names cited as possible candidates to the post of permanent president of the European Council, it is that of Mary Robinson of Ireland that the Greens approve of most, explained Rebecca Harms, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, speaking in Strasbourg on Tuesday 20 October. She justifies this choice by the fact that Ms Robinson is a woman - a woman who has always shown a constant commitment to human rights and citizens.
Ms Harms also regretted the fact that the group's position was not followed up during the vote on President Barroso's investiture. It would have been better to extend the current Commission's mandate rather than enter into a transition period with a weakened Commission as climate talks open, she said. (O.J./transl.jl)