Newly-nominated European Commissioner Michael McGrath has said he has faith in Ursula Von der Leyen to set up a ‘successful centre ground coalition’ in the European Parliament.
Mr McGrath was nominated to become Ireland’s next European Commissioner yesterday – with Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers taking over as Finance Minister.
The unwritten rules of appointments to the Commission suggest that if a country sends a more senior politician, they can land a more significant brief.
As such, there are hopes Mr McGrath could command a meaty economic portfolio in the Commission.
He told Newstalk Breakfast he hopes to “change policy on an international stage”.
“I think, given my own background, where my experience lies... have all been honed in the broad economic and financial area,” he said.
“That is an area where I could certainly hit the ground running and there are a number of portfolios within the Commission that would be able to lend themselves to those attributes.”
McGrath supports Von der Leyen
The European Commission will also need to elect a new president – with the Government confirming it will support Ursula Von der Leyen once again.
The president must be elected by the European Parliament, although several newly elected Irish MEPs have said they will now vote for Ms Von der Leyen.
Mr McGrath said he “respects the position” of MEPs – but said Ms Von der Leyen has been a “very good friend to Ireland”.
“We should not forget that, particularly during the Brexit negotiations, the Windsor framework,” he said.
“She led the European Union and the European Commission that stood with Ireland, shoulder to shoulder.”
Finance Minister Michael McGrath speaks to media in Dublin, 29-11-23. Image: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ieMs Von der Leyen has been criticised for her response to the conflict between Israel and Palestine – where health authorities report nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.
She said the country had a duty to defend itself and protect its people against the “atrocious” acts of Hamas – but failed to call on Israel to respect international law or be proportionate in its response.
Mr McGrath said he doesn’t agree with her on all her decisions – but he would still support her.
“She, I believe, will build a successful centre-ground coalition,” she said.
Mr McGrath’s exit to Europe has come as a surprise to some who viewed him as the next potential leader of Fianna Fáil.
The party will hope to retain his Dáil seat – where his brother Séamus got the highest number of first-preference votes of any councillor in the country at the recent local elections.
