Carlos Cuerpo will not be the president of the Eurogroup. He did not even present himself for the vote that took place yesterday. "We did not have the necessary support to carry out the candidacy," admitted the Minister of Economy before the organ's meeting.
"In the current context, with great challenges for the eurozone, it is necessary to promote unity and avoid fragmentation within the Eurogroup, a key body for economic decision-making in the union. Therefore, in an exercise of responsibility, the minister has decided to step aside to favor an election based on consensus," emphasized from the department he leads. This way, he avoided a resounding defeat in the vote, a process from which Lithuanian Rimantas Sadzius also withdrew, allowing Irishman Pascal Donohoe to remain at the helm of the organization for at least another two and a half years after his arrival in 2020.
The failure of the Spanish minister was foreseeable, as Donohoe had the support of the European People's Party, and practically no one in Brussels gave any chances to the Economy Minister. The precedents were not encouraging either, as both Luis de Guindos and Nadia Calviño lost in the same process, although at least they made it to the vote.
However, the Government insisted on presenting Cuerpo, affirming that his candidacy had been well received and that there were possibilities. And this was done in the midst of a crisis nationally, with corruption cases looming over the President of the Government himself, and also internationally after the "anger" of allies and partners due to Sánchez's refusal to invest more in Defense.
Therefore, Cuerpo's defeat only deepens that situation, in the loss of influence of Spain in the face of the rightward shift that Europe has taken, and also due to changing priorities. The green transition has taken a back seat to the need to prepare Europe for a possible Russian attack. It's not that decarbonization is not important, but it is no longer the priority it once was. This directly connects with another form of Spanish loss of influence: the lonely situation in which the Executive Vice President for a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, finds herself.
Change of priorities and lack of harmony
At the time of her appointment, it was considered that she would be the number 2 to the President of the European Commission, and would lead one of the key areas of the European Executive. That she would have a significant role in Brussels, in short. But the reality in the European capital is not exactly that. For several reasons. First, because Ursula von der Leyen's presidential management leaves very little space and freedom of action for the members of the College of Commissioners.
The aforementioned changes in priorities and the political shift in the EU are also important. Members of the European People's Party are the majority in the Commission, and the relationship with the few socialists is not the best either. In Brussels, many point out that she has had several disagreements with Dan Jorgensen, who is not only a social democrat but also holds the Energy portfolio. Although it is true that Danish social democracy is not exactly the same as Spanish.
In Denmark, they are convinced that spending more on the military is essential. In fact, the country's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, was one of the leaders who had "disagreements" with Sánchez at the NATO summit following Spain's refusal to reach 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in military investment. They also actively advocate for cutting European dependence on Russian gas as soon as possible and completely.
This, as reported by Politico a few weeks ago, sparked a clash between Ribera and Jorgensen because the Vice President wanted to soften the process, and the Dane refused. From the former Vice President's team, they completely denied this point, as well as that the move was a result of pressure from Sánchez. But the environment is not positive.
The strength of Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate Action, also does not help. In the European capital, it has not gone unnoticed that the press conference they held last week to announce the climate goals for 2024 was completely led by the Dutchman. Clearer and more direct messages in something that should have showcased Ribera.
And a very significant last example of the loneliness in which Ribera finds herself. Last week, after the gala dinner that marked the official start of the Danish presidency of the European Council, all the commissioners were either surrounded by journalists or chatting with other members of the College. Everyone except the Spanish, who barely spoke with the President of the European Council, also a socialist, Antonio Costa. But when the Portuguese was called away for an obligation, the former Government Vice President was left alone. With no one around her.