A commissioner since 2019, Vălean fought against border closures during the pandemic, and more recently has shifted her attention to keeping Ukraine’s export routes open. She also oversaw new rules for EU truck drivers, but was criticized for sticking too close to Romania’s own stance.
Ramona Chiriac, the head of the European Commission’s representation in Bucharest, had been tipped to lead the parties’ joint list. She pulled out on Thursday, however, citing “personal reasons.”
Former Romanian Prime Minister and current MEP Mihai Tudose, who sits in the Socialists and Democrats group, is currently in first place on the list, according to local media. Last year he was accused of harassing a female staffer — allegations he denied.
Vălean is not the only European commissioner eyeing a seat in the Parliament: Lithuania’s Virginijus Sinkevičius and Latvia’s Valdis Dombrovksis, commissioners for environment and trade, respectively, are also running.
