Marianne Thyssen is Belgium’s candidate for European Commissioner

Marianne Thyssen, 58, has been named as Belgium’s candidate for European Commissioner. The decision was part of the negotiations to form a new federal government. Belgium had been told by the European Commission president to submit a candidate for the EU post by today.

Thyssen (pictured) has been a member of the European Parliament since 1991. She is vice-chair of the European People’s Party and sits on the committee for the internal market and consumer protection. She was the president of CD&V for two years, from 2008 to 2010.

The breakthrough in the decision to appoint Thyssen came when Kris Peeters (CD&V), who was expected to become prime minister, announced yesterday that he would support his party comrade for the EU post. This meant that Peeters was willing to give up the post of prime minister. It was considered unlikely that both Peeters and Thyssen could get key posts, since they belong to one of the smaller parties in the coalition.

With Peeters having stepped down, it was agreed that the new prime minister will come from the liberals, which includes the French-speaking MR and the Flemish Open VLD. Charles Michel of the French-speaking liberals (MR) is now seen as the most likely candidate for prime minister.

The decision came this morning after long negotiations between formateurs Peeters and Michel and representatives of the four future coalition parties, which began yesterday at 14.00 and continued into the night.

photo: Belga