The European Commission has no objections to the participation, on Thursday 5 February, of European Commissioners Marta Kos, Andrius Kubilius and Raffaele Fitto in political events in Slovenia organised by the government coalition and opposition parties (see EUROPE 13802/29).
The European Commissioners visited Slovenia “in their official capacity” and met with “both ruling and opposition parties, therefore conducting a politically balanced programme”, said Maciej Berestecki, a spokesman for the European Union institution, on Friday 6 February. They “intervened strictly on EU matters and on matters relating to their portfolios”, he added. He also pointed out that, as part of their duties, the three leaders can “express their political views” and are required to maintain political contacts at EU and Member State level.
On Thursday, the Renew Europe and S&D groups had criticised the participation of European Commissioners Andrius Kubilius, affiliated to the European People’s Party (EPP), and Raffaele Fitto, affiliated to the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), in a press conference with the former Slovenian prime minister Janez Janša, candidate of the SDS party, affiliated to the EPP.
In their view, this political commitment, at a time when legislative elections are due to be held in Slovenia at the end of March, contradicts “the principles of independence, neutrality and impartiality” enshrined in the Code of Conduct for Commissioners.
The two political groups did not mention Mrs Kos’ trip to Slovenia.
See the letter: https://aeur.eu/f/kmm (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)