Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who is most often mentioned as the Conservatives' candidate for the European Commission, did not attend the meeting as he is currently on a business trip in Brussels. In general, only Prime Minister Šimonytė participated in the meeting of the Conservative Coalition Council.
„It would have helped, I think. Maybe the conversation would have been even better“, – said Aušrinė Armonaitė, the chair of the Freedom Party, about Landsbergis' absence. The small coalition partners themselves initiated the meeting. They are tired of hearing about the candidates only in public, while their opinions are not considered.
Behind the scenes, there is talk that the primary option for the Conservatives, who have the prerogative to put forward their candidate, is Landsbergis, who is seeking to become a European Commissioner, but because of his complicated relations with President Gitanas Nausėda, he has to look to Brussels for backing.
What plan Šimonytė presented to the coalition partners was not immediately apparent from her lips. Prime Minister had to leave the cabinet of Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, the Speaker of the Seimas, and rushed to a meeting of the TS-LKD group in the Seimas.
„Possible portfolios that are in Lithuania's best interests were discussed. There was not much talk about names. We see that these portfolios could include not only the enlargement commissioner but also, for example, the portfolios of the energy commissioner and the economy commissioner,“ Armonaitė said.
„We did not talk much about names, and I will not speak for the Prime Minister. Maybe she will comment later,“ she noted.
The Speaker of the Seimas, Čmilytė-Nielsen, stressed that two names were most often mentioned at the meeting – those of Landsbergis and Šimonytė, but several other possible candidates were also mentioned, but not seriously.
„Some names were discussed, but without focusing so much on that. Now the basis is talking about portfolios and waiting to see how the European Commission will shape up“, the Liberal Movement leader explained.
However, none of the participants in the meeting wanted to disclose the names. When asked whether Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė was mentioned in the conversation, Čmilytė-Nielsen admitted that she was but that her candidacy was not seriously considered.
Did the small coalition partners eventually hear the Conservatives ask for support for Landsbergis' candidacy? Armonaitė just shrugged her shoulders.
„Not really,“ said the Chair of the Freedom Party. (His candidacy) was discussed, yes. The name of the Prime Minister was also discussed because we believe, as we have said publicly on several occasions, that the Prime Minister could best represent Lithuania's interests because she would receive a grateful portfolio. She said that she did not want that. Of course, we will not delegate anything under duress,“ she added.
When it was pointed out that only Landsbergis was left, Armonaitė replied, „not really,“ but did not elaborate on her answer.
On Wednesday, Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP), the largest European Parliament (EP) group, publicly expressed his support for Landsbergis' candidacy for the EC.
„I do not doubt that my Lithuanian colleague Gabrielius Landsbergis has the necessary skills to represent the EU as a European Commissioner, drawing on his extensive experience in international affairs and the strong relationships he has built as a respected leader in our neighbourhood and beyond,“ Weber wrote on the social network „X“.
The coalition partners agree that „it is always good to have good friends“, but question their influence on President Nausėda, who is not sympathetic to Landsbergis.
„How much influence this will have on, for example, the President's potential decision, I can only speculate. My guess would be not very much,“ Čmilytė-Nielsen admitted, adding that she doubted Landsbergi's chances of passing even the first filter.
By the way, at the meeting of the Coalition Council, the Libertarians also raised the issue of support for the draft law on Civil Unions.
Although Armonaitė herself does not directly answer whether the Freedom Party will block Landsbergis' candidacy for the European Commission if the Conservatives do not find the additional votes to adopt this project, Čmilytė-Nielsen answered for her, claiming that it is already evident that such a request is being raised.
What's next?
„Well, it's going to be a long summer in the Seimas“, smiled Armonaitė.
