Cañete in, Bratušek out

The EU’s new Climate and Energy Commissioner under the forthcoming Juncker European Commission, Miguel Arias Cañete from Spain, was confirmed for the position in early October following what was by all accounts a severe grilling from the European Parliament. The proposed Vice President for Energy Union in the Commission, Alenka Bratušek, did not fare so well.

One issue that dogged Cañete through the hearing was the fact that his brother-in-law has interests in two Spanish oil services companies, and whether this constituted a conflict of interest. Reports from the hearing suggest that Cañete was well prepared and knowledgeable, and stressed the need for ambitious action on climate change.

On the other hand, Bratušek was widely reported as being vague and ignorant of key energy issues at her hearing. She failed to convince the MEPs that she has the skills to take the position of Vice President of Energy Union. 

It was reported that, in a political trade off, Cañete was confirmed after a deal between centre-left and centre-right parties in the European Parliament. The deal saw Bratušek rejected and the words ‘sustainability, climate action and energy’ added to the portfolio of Cañete’s boss Frans Timmermans.