Jean-Claude Juncker has found an unexpected supporter in his run for the European Commission Presidency. Abandoned by several of his party colleagues, the candidate from Luxembourg has discovered Alexis Tsipras, leader of the European Left, is on his side. With a press release in fact, Tsipras explained that “the EPP won this election” hence “Juncker is the one who can muster a parliamentary majority negotiating with other parties.”
“I strongly opposed the EPP policies, supported by his candidate, Jean-Claude Juncker,” pointed out the leader of the European Left, “and I will keep on with this opposition.” Still, Tsipras think the Commission Presidency is all about the rules of the very idea of democracy: “During the electoral campaign citizens were asked to choose among the five candidates, each of the supported by the main European parties,” then “I firmly believe that the European Council should not appoint any candidate out of those five names,” and that the European Parliament “should not approve any candidate who hasn’t participated this democratic competition.” According to Tsipras “presenting any other candidacy would only mean discrediting this election, turning it into a pantomime.”