BERLIN
Germany has not denied on Friday reports that it is seeking reform on the competences of the European Commission, but claimed that its ideas do not intend the disempowerment of the institution.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble is said to have floated the idea of limiting the powers of EU’s executive arm during discussions with European counterparts two weeks ago, where he reportedly suggested transferring some of the European Commission’s competences to new watchdog institutions on anti-trust and internal market rules.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily reported Thursday that Schauble expressed concern over the European Commission’s increased political role that manifested itself in recent negotiations with Greece on a third bailout.
He argued that this has started to undermine the Commission’s main function as the watchdog of the treaties and its essentially technical work, according to the daily.
Finance Ministry spokesperson Martin Chaudhuri told Anadolu Agency on Friday that Schauble only briefly discussed the role of European institutions, at a meeting of European finance ministers on July 14, which was focused on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union.
“Overall it is important that the Commission maintains the right balance between its political function and its role as the guardian of the [EU] treaties. But a disempowerment of the Commission, as alleged by the press is out of question,” he said.
Germany and its European partners are scheduled to continue discussions on possible reforms and deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union, at an informal meeting of European finance ministers in Luxembourg on September 11 to 12.
