However, according to the politician, the question of who won the victory in the dispute over Lithuania's candidacy for the European Commission (EK) remains open.
„Watching from the sidelines the exchange of opinions, sometimes epithets, between the leaders of the Presidency and the Conservatives, I have the impression that in this case, Frederikas Jansonas knows how to enjoy those victories of the Presidency over the Conservatives.
But I would be in no hurry because if Andrius Kubilius, the Conservative Mohican, is confirmed as Commissioner for the European Union, it is an entirely open question about who has played who in this chess game. Is the President's office backing the Conservatives or vice versa?“, Čmilytė-Nielsen told Žinių radios on Wednesday, reacting to Jansonas' remarks about the long-running discussions on the possible candidacy of Landsbergis for the post of EU Commissioner.
„It seems to me a bit paradoxical that the big victory of the Presidency is Andrius Kubilius as a European Commissioner. Well, it's just a bit of a paradox“, she added.
ELTA recalls that last Thursday, President Nausėda signed a decree submitted by the Government approving the nomination of Andrius Kubilius as a European Commissioner. The Seimas is also expected to decide on the proposed candidate at an extraordinary session next week.
However, Foreign Minister Landsbergis has previously been discussed in the media and the corridors of politics as a possible Euro Commissioner. A couple of weeks ago, he told Elta that he had received information that President Nausėda would not support his candidacy. He suggested that this might have been influenced by previous conflicts with the Presidency, such as the so-called Phantom of the Opera scandal.
For its part, the Presidency rejected the foreign minister's accusations and stressed that Nausėda had saved the Conservative leader from „a terrible humiliation.“ According to Jansonas, the President's Chief Adviser, it was almost evident that the opposition and the ruling party did not want to support Landsbergis, who was running for commissioner.
„Of course, this may sound very ironic to me, but in a way, it may be that the President saved both Mr Landsbergis from a terrible humiliation in the Seimas and the Government from a potentially deep problem. We are all aware that if the Seimas had not confirmed Mr Landsbergis, I do not know whether the coalition would have lasted until December, when there would have to be a change of Government. I have no idea if that would be possible,“ Jansonas told Elta in an interview.
The nomination of the Commissioner is proposed by the Government, in agreement with the President and the Seimas.
