Commission President Appointment: We expect a decision based on the Treaty of Nice

"The EPP expects the European Council to nominate the President of the European Commission on the basis of the Nice Treaty, taking into account the outcome of the European elections". This is the message that Joseph Daul, Chairman of the largest parliamentary group, delivered to the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in today's debate on the upcoming European Council.

"It seems that some Member States might be tempted to wait for the Lisbon Treaty to carry out institutional decisions, including the appointment of the President of the Commission", said Joseph Daul. "But, unfortunately, we do not know yet if and when the Lisbon Treaty will apply. Therefore we must apply the Treaty in force without any hesitation. Have we postponed the European elections on the grounds that the Treaty of Lisbon would have been better for the European Parliament?".

"Our Group expects a clear signal from the Council of its intentions in the institutional sphere, and the sooner the better", concluded Joseph Daul on this point.

On the financial crisis and the measures taken by Europe to regularise the financial markets, the Group Chairman welcomed the latest proposals from the European Commission, especially on 'golden handshakes' and on bonuses paid to traders or on hedge funds. "These actions demonstrate once again that those who, often through demagoguery, accuse the Commission and the European Union of paralysis or weakness are wrong and mislead our citizens", said Joseph Daul.