Reacting to last week's joint statement by the EPP, S&D and ALDE groups that they had reached an agreement on the selection of the next European Commission president after the forthcoming EU elections, GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer said this type of agreement between three Parliament groups is undemocratic. “Striking deals amongst themselves belongs to the past.”

Ms Zimmer commented: “The Parliament will change considerably after the elections and it would be appropriate that these three groups finally realised that. Contrary to what they say in their statement, these are backroom deals between three groups in the European Parliament, and we object to them. These elections were supposed to change the way the Commission President was selected and make it a more democratic system and one in which the EU electorate would have a real say.”

She continued: “These decisions should be taken in an open and transparent way involving all the political groups and reflecting the composition of the new Parliament.”

Gabi Zimmer concluded: “EPP, S&D and ALDE group leaders cannot think that they can carry on as before, concluding undemocratic agreements behind closed doors and expecting MEPs to ratify them.  I would like to know why the Conference of President chairs still needs to meet with van Rompuy this week to discuss how the Council and the European Parliament will work together on this after the election if it has already been decided in advance?”