Speaking to RTL the day after the election, European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit expressed optimism about forming a coalition of democratic parties in the EU Parliament, including the Liberals and Greens, to tackle key issues such as the Green Deal and European investments.
All the democratic parties are potential coalition partners for the Social Democrats, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit noted the day after the elections. The politician from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers Party (LSAP) showed himself satisfied with the results of the European elections. Interviewed in Brussels, the Social Democrats' top candidate was unwilling to speculate about a possible distribution of posts, but once again asserted that a coalition is not possible without them. In addition to the European People's Party (EPP), potential partners also include the Liberals and the Greens, according to Schmit.
Solutions must now be found between the parties to resolve their differences, he continued, citing the Green Deal and European investments as notable examples. When asked about the strengthening of the rightwing bloc within the European Union, Schmit made the case that this is due to a general loss of confidence in politics and the fact that citizens are afraid.
Eyes set on the post of European Commission Vice-President
‘I think that if you are the person who has represented social democracy in Europe for three months and who wants to continue to do so, it is a rather logical consequence", replied Schmit when asked whether he wants to become Vice-President of the European Commission.
The LSAP politician stressed during the interview that his party is ready to go beyond a coalition with the EPP and the Liberals, as has been the case for the past five years. The Social Democrats would also prefer to join forces with the Greens to form a broad front against the far right in the European Parliament. Schmit elaborated: "The right has admittedly made considerable progress, but an absolute catastrophe has not occurred. However, a signal has been sent. I think that is why it is now important for the democratic parties and the pro-European parties to understand the message given by voters. And of course also to work on solutions and prepare Europe for the major challenges that lie ahead. And they are not insignificant, they are both economic and social. Our societies that are drifting apart. These are issues that we must now address together and to which we need to find viable solutions. I think we have the opportunity to do this, because there is a democratic majority in this Parliament."
In the coming days and weeks, the allocation of half a dozen senior posts will be decided in Brussels. On the Luxembourg side, it will be interesting to see who gets a Commission post between the list leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Nicolas Schmit, and MEP Christophe Hansen of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV).
