Slovenia to propose new Commissioner in 2-3 days

(LJUBLJANA) - Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar on Wednesday said the government was disappointed by the European Parliament's rejection of commissioner-designate Alenka Bratusek but would propose a new candidate "in two or three days".

"As head of the government, I will do what is necessary for the government to find a new adequate candidate," Cerar told Slovenian reporters on the sidelines of a European Union leaders' meeting in Milan, Slovenian news agency STA reported.

"Slovenia regrets this situation," the premier was quoted as saying, adding that he would immediately start talks with his coalition partners so his government could propose a new candidate "in two or three days".

EU lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected Slovenian ex-premier Bratusek's candidature for the role as vice president for energy union after a strongly criticised intervention during a bruising confirmation hearing on Monday.

Bratusek had proposed herself along with two more Slovenian candidates for the commission weeks before handing over the government to Cerar, a law professor and political newcomer that won at the July snap elections.

Cerar had publicly opposed Bratusek's candidature and had instead urged her to propose outgoing Slovenian Commissioner Janez Potocnik for a new, third mandate in the commission.