Press Release

17/04/2008

Antonio Tajani MEP to succeed Commissioner Frattini. Klaus-Heiner Lehne MEP

Ideal Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs / Tajani has a strong background

Today, Italian newspapers report that the Italian Member of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, is to succeed European Commissioner Franco Frattini on Justice and Home Affairs (JLS), once Frattini takes up his new post in the Italian Government. "It is obvious that the newly-elected government in Italy, headed by Silvio Berlusconi, has to decide on the designation of Frattini's successor. Nobody understands why acting Prime Minister Prodi - who is only in charge of the ordinary business - should claim the right of appointment which he definitely is not entitled to", said Klaus-Heiner Lehne MEP, Legal Affairs Spokesman of the EPP-ED Group.

Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot is ready to temporarily replace Franco Frattini for the coming days of the appointment period. Any new Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs will need a strong legal background in order to fulfill the tasks that lie ahead of Europe. "Antonio Tajani has a proven track record. He has strong managerial skills in European legal affairs and can foster the role of Europe in the world. Those are the two key factors a Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs has to bring along", said Lehne.

The Committee on Legal Affairs will assess the Commissioner-designate together with the Committee on Civil Liberties. With regard to the new legislative competencies the European Parliament is going to have once the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, it is of the utmost importance that a competent Commissioner in the field of Justice and Home Affairs will work closely together with Members of the European Parliament.

For further information:
Klaus-Heiner Lehne MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847047

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.