Prime Minister in Brussels meets with von der Leyen

Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) left for Brussels on Wednesday morning to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Commission president is holding talks these days with all candidates for EU commissioners presented by the 27 (post-Brexit) member countries. Slovakia has nominated Maroš Šefčovič, who served in the past two commissions as their vice-chairman. Šefcovič, who has served twice as vice-president of the European Commission, should also be given an important job in the new Commission, Pellegrini said after his meeting with the Commission President. Ursula von der Leyen has reportedly acknowledged Šefčovič as one of the most experienced candidates and said that she wants to have him in her "inner circle". Meanwhile, Czech Television has reported that von der Leyen has offered the post of Commission vice-president to Věra Jourová from the Czech Republic.