And Harald Schumann, editor of German newspaper Tagesspeigel, said the episode underlined the “doubtful democratic value” of May 23’s poll. Mr Schumann, who is also a prominent documentary maker and political analyst, made the remarks in his newspaper, in which he assessed the potential candidacy of Denmark’s Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition Supervision since 2014. Explaining that it was “pretty much impossible to be popular as an EU commissioner”, he added: “She has been so consistent with cartel brothers and monopolists that she has won popularity like no other.
“Just from Google she collected 4.4 billion euros. In addition she also taken action against the governments of Ireland and the Netherlands because they organise tax evasion for the world’s corporations. That’s why Apple has to pay 13 billion euros.
“And she is also not intimidated by Emmanuel Macron or Angela Merkel.
“Against the will of the two of them, she has banned the planned merger of the Alstom and Siemens railway lines, and rightly so. Otherwise, consumers and taxpayers would have to pay dearly.”
As such, Mr Schumann said, Ms Vestager was “the embodiment of a good European” fighting for the common good of the European community “regardless of national interests”.
Margrethe Vestager is likely to be vetoed by her own Prime Minister (Image: GETTY)
He added: “That’s why she would be the ideal candidate for the head of the European Commission.
“If EU citizens could vote for her, she would have the best chance of succeeding Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President.”
However, Mr Schumann warned: “Citizens do not have that choice. When they will elect the new EU Parliament, they will not decide who will lead the commission.
“This decision will be first and foremost made by the heads of government of the member states.”
Jean-Claude Juncker will stand down as European Commission President this year (Image: GETTY)
Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is likely to veto Ms Vestager as Copenhagen’s nominee for the post because the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party, which he relies on prop up his coalition, has insisted she should be ruled out, Mr Schumann explained.
He said: “Therefore Europe’s best will lose her office and the support of the local government – not a good premise for the presidency.
“This fact alone demonstrates how doubtful the democratic value of the EU election still is.
“Of course, many candidates speak of a “fateful election” for the well-being and woe of Europe. And yes, those who want to put the anti-Europeans in their place should definitely vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Image: GETTY)
“But because so much is at stake, honesty should be the top priority.”
All parliamentary groups in the European Parliament except the Liberals send so-called “Spitzenkandidats” or top candidates into the race, suggesting they would be entitled to replace Mr Juncker if they could obtain a majority within the chamber.
However, Mr Schumann described the idea as a “gross misdirection”, adding: “In fact, the EU treaty states explicitly that the European Union Council of National Leaders alone ‘proposes a candidate for the post of President of the Commission’ and merely ‘take into account’ the outcome of the elections.
“The parliament can reject these candidates by a majority. But it must not name another. Merkel and her colleagues are therefore have more influence.
“It is not the elections but the power games of the heads of government that decide who heads the next EU Commission. That is annoying, but it is the true nature of the European Parliament.
“In fact, it is only a gathering of delegations of national parties, which are exclusively determined by national lists. The vast majority of EU citizens cannot vote for the alleged top candidates.”
Having said that, complex wrangles between French President Mr Macron and German Chancellor Mrs Merkel could still end up with candidates including Manfred Weber and Frans Timmermans being effectively ruled out, meaning Ms Vestager could end up being “the compromise president after all”.
However, Mr Schuman warned: “This result would have little to do with democracy.”
(Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg)