site.btaCC-DB MEP Minchev Expects Ursula von der Leyen to Be Re-elected, Says EP Majority Has to Find Reasons Behind Rise in Far-Right Support

Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria / Renew Europe MEP Nikola Minchev said he expects Ursula von der Leyen to be re-elected as European Commission (EC) President. In an interview with BTA on Tuesday, he said that the three parliamentary groups that have formed a majority in the European Parlimanet (European People’s Party, Progressive Alliance of Socialist and Democrats, Renew Europe) have not yet given a final confirmation what their positions will be regarding all issues, including the vote for the next EC president. 

There are two more days in which outgoing EC President Ursula von der Leyen will present her priorities and then Renew Europe will take a decision, he noted.

Minchev, who was MP in several Bulgarian parliaments and is a former National Assembly chair, is MEP for the first time. One of his priorities, which he announced during the election campaign, is the rule of law. Minchev will be a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), where the rule of law will be one of the main topics of work. He will also be a member of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, where he said there is an opportunity to work on issues related to the access of Bulgarian citizens and Bulgarian businesses to EU’s internal market. Among his other priorities, Minchev identified media freedom and working to make Bulgaria home to at least one European institution.

Minchev said that the first meeting of all Bulgarian MEPs in this EP was held on Tuesday. "The idea is such a format to take place at every plenary session we have and to take into account topics on which it is extremely important to advocate the national interest", he explained.

In response to a question about Euroscepticism and its strong representation in the new European Parliament, Minchev pointed out that “we need to understand the reasons that make people turn to the parties in the far-right spectrum”. 

"Obviously their policies and proposals find some support from the people. We need to be aware of the reasons that are leading to this stronger result and what we can do - the European People’s Party, Socialist and Democrats, and Renew Europe - to address people's fears," he said.