Hungary’s new candidate for European Commissioner Laszlo Andor told Monday’s Nepszabadsag daily that he expects to succeed as an European Commissioner regardless of whether a left or right wing government is in power in Hungary.
“I already have experience of this from the EBRD,” Andor said.
Andor, an economist and former European Bank of Reconstruction and Development board member, dismissed the opposition’s charge that he lacked EU experience, saying that his international background and a broad outlook on economic subjects like the financial crisis would easily make up for this.
Andor said a successful Commissioner must build up a good network and be a skilled interlocutor. Each commissioner can have more influence than just being one of 27, he said.
Andor dismissed the suggestion that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had insisted that Hungary nominate him if the country hoped for a better portfolio. He also denied knowing anything about being tipped for the regional policy area.
