Commission nominee pulls out of running

BULGARIA’S foreign minister, Rumiana Jeleva, withdraw her nomination to the European Commission after a week of criticism and pressure from members of the European Parliament.

Her decision means further delays in appointing the new Commission and extending the mandate of the current caretaker Commission for an extra two weeks while her replacement is put through her paces by MEPs.

But four other Commissioners designate who MEPs were unhappy with after their hearings are due to get the go-ahead today after further meetings in Strasbourg yesterday.