Brussels, 06/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - The current president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Ramon Luis Valcarcel Siso (of Spain), and the vice-president, Mercedes Bresso (of Italy), won seats at the European Parliament in the May elections. Valcarcel is hoping to become an EP vice-president.
Valcarcel (EPP) has chaired the CoR since the summer of 2012 and his term of office ends on 25 June so he can begin work as an MEP. A close source says he is after an EP vice-president job, and discussions are going well among both the Spanish delegation and the EP in this connection. His political experience would be of value to the EP as the vice-president responsible for relations with the CoR (each vice-president has different responsibilities). His preferences for membership of EP committees would be for the Agriculture Committee or the Foreign Affairs Committee (Mediterranean).
Bresso (PES) had more than 100,000 preferential votes in her constituency and could also claim a high position at the European Parliament if talks go well with fellow Italians. Bresso's career to date would probably see her in the EP committee for regional or institutional affairs.
Everything suggests that a new face has already been selected to chair the Committee of the Regions until February 2015. The president would remain an EPP job under the usual rotation rules. The EPP has selected Michel Lebrun of Belgium as their candidate. Catiusca Marini (PES, Italy) is the Socialist candidate for the job of vice-president.
The CoR plenary on 25 June is expected to endorse the two candidates in a vote. This will be the final sitting chaired by Valcarcel, who will be celebrating 20 years at the Committee of the Regions. (MD)