On Thursday 27 April, the European Commission defended itself from any partiality or partisan support for the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) through the attitude adopted by the European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, in enforcing EU law in the Doñana National Park (Andalusia) after Spain was condemned in 2021 by the EU Court of Justice.
The day before, after a meeting with the commissioner in Brussels, Manfred Weber, the Chair of the EPP group in the European Parliament, accused Sinkevičius of “wearing a red shirt to campaign for Sánchez” and of “not presenting himself as someone searching for solutions”, according to reports.
When asked by journalists whether there was any truth to these statements and whether the Commission President supported Mr Sinkevičius, chief spokesperson Eric Mamer wanted to stick to the Treaties.
“The Commission is playing its role here on the basis of the legislation in force relating to this judgment of the Court of Justice. It is strictly adhering to its institutional role. Ursula von der Leyen has confidence in all the members of her College”.
In 2021, the Court of Justice condemned Spain for overexploitation of groundwater bodies and providing insufficient protection for natural habitats (case C-559/19) (see EUROPE 12748/32).
Environment spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said that the evaluation of Spain’s response to a formal letter that was sent to it in 2022, enjoining it to comply with the Court’s judgment, is underway at the Commission.
He explained that there was contact with the Spanish government and stakeholders to “clarify matters and ensure full compliance with the judgment. It is a legal process and the European Commission is playing its role as guardian of the Treaties”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)