And Harald Schumann, editor of German newspaper Tagesspeigel, said the episode underlined the “doubtful democratic value” of May 23’s poll. Mr Schumann, who is also a prominent documentary maker and political analyst, made the remarks in his newspaper, in which he assessed the potential candidacy of Denmark’s Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition Supervision since 2014. Explaining that it was “pretty much impossible to be popular as an EU commissioner”, he added: “She has been so consistent with cartel brothers and monopolists that she has won popularity like no other.
“Just from Google she collected 4.4 billion euros. In addition she also taken action against the governments of Ireland and the Netherlands because they organise tax evasion for the world’s corporations. That’s why Apple has to pay 13 billion euros.
“And she is also not intimidated by Emmanuel Macron or Angela Merkel.
“Against the will of the two of them, she has banned the planned merger of the Alstom and Siemens railway lines, and rightly so. Otherwise, consumers and taxpayers would have to pay dearly.”
As such, Mr Schumann said, Ms Vestager was “the embodiment of a good European” fighting for the common good of the European community “regardless of national interests”.
Margrethe Vestager is likely to be vetoed by her own Prime Minister (Image: GETTY)
He added: “That’s why she would be the ideal candidate for the head of the European Commission.
“If EU citizens could vote for her, she would have the best chance of succeeding Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President.”
However, Mr Schumann warned: “Citizens do not have that choice. When they will elect the new EU Parliament, they will not decide who will lead the commission.
“This decision will be first and foremost made by the heads of government of the member states.”
Jean-Claude Juncker will stand down as European Commission President this year (Image: GETTY)
