Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002641/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Milan Zver (PPE)
In an interview with the Slovenian weekly Mladina, Commissioner Marta Kos said that she ‘would not want Janez Janša to become Prime Minister of Slovenia after the upcoming elections’.[1] This is an extremely controversial and politically biased statement representing direct interference by the Commissioner in the internal affairs of a Member State.
It is clearly at odds with the provisions of Article 17(3) of the Treaty on European Union, which requires members of the Commission to be completely independent, impartial and restrained in expressing their opinions, and could undermine the legitimate democratic processes in a Member State. The Code of Conduct for Commissioners clearly prohibits political interference and the expression of personal preferences regarding the outcome of elections in the Member States.
In view of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission consider Marta Kos’ statement about who she wants or does not want as Prime Minister of a sovereign Member State to be compatible with her obligations under the Treaties and the Code of Conduct for Commissioners?
- 2.Will the Commission take action over this clear political bias and breach of the duty of neutrality by one of its members?
- 3.What measures will the Commission take to prevent this kind of political abuse of office in future by Commissioners who are blatantly assuming the right to publicly influence the electoral choices of the citizens of the Member States?
It sets a precedent that not only damages the Commission’s reputation as a neutral institution, but also directly undermines the democratic processes in Slovenia.
Submitted: 30.6.2025
- [1] https://www.mladina.si/241984/napad-sds-zaradi-intervjuja-v-mladini-nad-evropsko-komisarko-marto-kos/