Fischer warns parties: agree on new European commissioner or I choose one

The caretaker prime minister, Jan Fischer, says if the two biggest parties do not agree on a new Czech European Commissioner within two weeks, his government will choose one. Speaking in an interview in Saturday’s Lidové noviny, Mr Fischer said he would prefer it if the Social Democrats and the Civic Democrats could reach a deal on a candidate. However, that appears unlikely: the former are backing current social affairs commissioner Vladimír Špidla, while the latter support Alexandr Vondra. Prime Minister Fischer has indicated that if there is no alternative, he will put forward somebody whose approval by the European Parliament might be relatively smooth; that could favour Vladimír Špidla, Lidové noviny said.

The make-up of the next European Commission was to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels next week. However, that meeting is likely to be dominated by efforts to have the Lisbon treaty approved by the Czech Republic and the new Commission will be on the agenda at a later date.