The New Europe

The list of (probable) European commissaries was reveaeled today and it gave opportunity for some reflections here in ECE, as usual. Some surprise is justified, after even the Romanian press reporteda month ago that the country won't get the agricultural portfolio they dreamed of and at the end Dacian Ciolos landed there. But the perception of the position of commissar and the respectove positions accorded to the candidates are quite typical in a sense.
The common elemet is the scizophrenic acceptance of the assumption that the EU commissary is not a representative of his or her country but the Union and its people. However, it is hard to miss that the reactions almways convey - at least implicitly - that this will be "our" portfolio with our representative there. But it is probably quite common everywhere. It is more interesting to see the differences, for example between Hungary and Romany. The Hungarian press approaches the position - sociall affairs and labour - primarily as a question of money and influence. The sum allocated to the portfolio, the importance of the field in terms of euro billions and share from the EU budget are the main concerns. In Romania - although the agriculture is clearly an important field in terms of finances - the focus lies on national pride. Romania came out of irrelevance, achieved a diplomatic victory and will have an important position. (Although not, as it is also mentioned in these articles and discourses.) It is a recognition of the country and the success of Romanian knowledge and expertise. So, Hungarians see a great bag of money where Romanians see an examination committee - in Europe.