He College of Commissioners chaired by the German ‘popular’ Ursula von der Leyen will advance his trip to Spain from July 7 to 3 to prevent the official visit for the start of the Spanish presidency of the EU from coinciding with the start of the election campaign for the July 23 elections. The change of date has been agreed by Von der Leyen with the President of the GovernmentPedro Sanchezas reported by the spokesman for the Community Executive, Eric Mamerin a brief message spread on social networks.
In the same communication, Mamer clarifies that the one-day trip to Madrid “will focus on the Joint work between the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency“. From Moncloa they also emphasize that it is a regular visit in all the presidencies to advance in the preparation of the agenda for the semester and discuss the focus of the priorities set.
Government sources have specified to Europa Press that the change of date has been agreed by both in a conversation held this Thursday and that it responds to the institutional responsibility to avoid that anything interferes in this trip, where the commissioners take the opportunity to hold meetings with the ministers and advisers in charge of the portfolios that occupy them. Thus, they add, an attempt is made to keep the current presidency of the EU safe from the political battle.
For their part, community sources clarify in conversation with Europa Press that the modification of the calendar arises at the initiative of Brussels after “analyzing the situation”, since Von der Leyen is aware of his institutional role but preferred that the visit take place before the official electoral campaign began.