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Juncker looks set to be crowned European commission president German media go cool on Jean-Claude Juncker over speaking engagements
(about 1 hour later)
The battle to become the next president of the European commission has been all but decided: in spite of heavy British resistance, Jean-Claude Juncker looks certain to be officially nominated in the next two days.The battle to become the next president of the European commission has been all but decided: in spite of heavy British resistance, Jean-Claude Juncker looks certain to be officially nominated in the next two days.
But among the German media, whose broad support for Juncker has been crucial in steering Angela Merkel to throw her weight behind the former Luxembourg prime minister, a mild sense of irritation with the lead candidate's recent behaviour is starting to spread.But among the German media, whose broad support for Juncker has been crucial in steering Angela Merkel to throw her weight behind the former Luxembourg prime minister, a mild sense of irritation with the lead candidate's recent behaviour is starting to spread.
On Tuesday, German press criticised Juncker for moonlighting as a public speaker throughout his candidacy. The 59-year-old is still under contract with as many as three speaking agencies and since the European elections on 25 May has graced a meeting of the German Security and Defence Industry Association and a European tyre trade fair. On Tuesday, the German press criticised Juncker for moonlighting as a public speaker throughout his candidacy. The 59-year-old is still under contract with as many as three speaking agencies and since the European elections on 25 May has graced a meeting of the German Security and Defence Industry Association and a European tyre trade fair.
Papers like Bild and Süddeutsche allege such behaviour gives lobbyists exclusive access to one of Europe's most important public officials. Papers such as Bild and Süddeutsche allege that such behaviour gives lobbyists exclusive access to one of Europe's most important public officials.
In Germany, public speaking engagements are a particularly sensitive issue since Merkel's rival in last year's elections – the Social Democrat candidate Peer Steinbruck [umlaut on u] was criticised for similar sidelines, eventually bowing to pressure and declaring a list of speaking engagements and the fees he was paid. In Germany, public speaking engagements are a particularly sensitive issue since Merkel's rival in last year's elections, the Social Democrat candidate Peer Steinbrück, was criticised for similar sidelines, eventually bowing to pressure and declaring a list of speaking engagements and the fees he was paid.
Juncker says he has declared his income with the European parliament but has so far declined to make it known to the public, raising doubts about the Luxembourgian's commitment to transparency. Juncker says he has declared his income with the European parliament but has so far declined to make it known to the public, raising doubts about his commitment to transparency.
Helga Trüpel, a German Green MEP, told Bild: "I expect that Mr Juncker will show full transparency regarding his activities as a public speaker and the fees he received. Any impression that these could lead to a conflict of interest between those associations that invited and paid him and his political role have to be refuted at once". Helga Trüpel, a German Green MEP, told Bild: "I expect that Mr Juncker will show full transparency regarding his activities as a public speaker and the fees he received. Any impression that these could lead to a conflict of interest between those associations that invited and paid him and his political role have to be refuted at once."
Rumours of an alcohol problem – first raised by Der Spiegel in February and picked up by British tabloids after the election – may be more easily dismissed as a slur. But many in the pro-Juncker camp believe their candidate should have been more proactive in batting away the allegations.Rumours of an alcohol problem – first raised by Der Spiegel in February and picked up by British tabloids after the election – may be more easily dismissed as a slur. But many in the pro-Juncker camp believe their candidate should have been more proactive in batting away the allegations.
"Juncker's dogged silence since the day of the election results is stoking resentment", wrote Spiegel Online. "Juncker's dogged silence since the day of the election results is stoking resentment," wrote Spiegel Online.