EU Lawmakers Reject Bratusek’s Nomination for Commission Vice-President

A bid by former Slovenian premier Alenka Bratusek to become EC Vice-President for Energy Union was rejected late on Wednesday by two panels of members of the European Parliament.

Bratusek failed to convince EU parliamentarians during a confirmation hearing on Monday for her role as European Commission vice president for energy union.

She also was criticised for effectively nominating herself as Slovenia's commissioner while she was still an outgoing premier.

"Bratusek has not any knowledge and did not show any commitment," conservative EU parliamentarian Peter Liese said in a statement issued after a 112-13 vote with two abstentions against her appointment in the legislature‘s environment and energy committees.

The two committees rejected a request by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, to which Bratusek belongs, to give her a second chance.

The European Commission's incoming president Jean-Claude Juncker will now have to consider replacing her another nomination from Slovenia or risk a parliamentary veto of his entire 28-member team.  

Slovenia's current prime minister, Miro Cerar, expressed disappointment with the rejection of his country's candidate but said he will nominate a new one within three days.

The rejection of Bratusek is considered to be a rebuke for Juncker, who has personally chosen her for the job.