The title of the portfolio 'protecting our European way of life' attributed to Commissioner-designate Margaritis Schinas caused an outcry among the progressive forces of the European Parliament.
European Parliament President David Sassoli on Thursday 12 September expressed "remarks related to the titles of some portfolios", from political groups. According to him, the choice of certain titles - the one attributed to Mr Schinas being on everyone's mind without Mr Sassoli explicitly mentioning it - was taken "with lightness and too fast" resulting in "odd", even "bizarre" nominations. He pointed out that some "fundamental" words, such as "culture and research", are not part of the controversial portfolio.
Hence the European Parliament President's initiative to invite the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss this emerging controversy with the Conference of Presidents of Political Groups on Thursday 19 September in Strasbourg, in order to "clarify" the issue before the hearings of the Commissioners-designate which will take place from 30 September to 8 October (two parallel hearings every morning and afternoon).
Nevertheless, Mr Sassoli - who reported on an ongoing reflection within the 'von der Leyen' team, which met informally for the first time on Thursday outside Brussels - refuted any "friction or dispute" that might emanate from the Parliament, cutting short the rumours of a specific letter that Parliament has addressed to the Commission.
To the left of the political spectrum, the Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups have already expressed their concern about Mr Schinas' portfolio, which could contradict welcoming refugees with fundamental European values (see EUROPE 12324/2).
"We don't like the idea, we refuse the name. We said it to the European Commission. We will see if they change the name", Iratxe Garcia Pérez, chair of the S&D group at the Parliament, told a few journalists on Thursday morning. It is not the concept of the "European way of life" per se that is problematic, if it refers to values such as "equality and solidarity", but rather the link that could be established between "protection and immigration", as populists do, she added.
The President of the Renew Europe Group, Dacian Cioloș, said on Twitter that the portfolio title ‘Protecting the European way of life’ is "confusing" and "must be changed" to include "diversity and the values of the EU". The EPP Group remains discreet on this issue.
At this stage, no name change has been announced by the European Commission. "There’s clearly no quick decision", said its spokesperson, Mina Andreeva, although the 'von der Leyen' team is following this debate closely.
She disagreed with the allegations that the title of the portfolio attributed to Mr Schinas heralds a repressive shift in the Commission's approach to the migration challenge: "Read what the mission letter (from Mr Schinas) says, what the Treaty says, what the European way of life means, what the Commission has always defended when it comes to solidarity and integration of migrants in our society. The values on which we are founded will not change, no matter what interpretation is given to a portfolio." She stressed that the title of the controversial portfolio stems from the political priorities announced in July by Mrs von der Leyen (see EUROPE 12297/1).
Mrs Andreeva also refuted the interpretation of the remarks attributed to the outgoing President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who on Euronews criticised the title of the portfolio attributed to Mr Schinas. "I don't like the idea to oppose the European way of life to migration. No. Accepting those coming from far away is part of the European way of life. It should be precised", said Mr Juncker, according to a transcript of the interview transmitted by the 24 hour news channel. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)