Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) stated on Tuesday that Slovak European Vice-president for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič is not the only candidate for the post of European Commission president who has the support of the Visegrad Four (V4: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary). "Everything is still open. Of course, I as a Slovak would be most glad if our commissioner Maroš Šefčovič gets the post, however, he's only one of the candidates. And I can confirm the words of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš that [Šefčovič] still isn't an official candidate because there's a plethora of names and we'll see how the situation turns out," stated Pellegrini.
Earlier on Tuesday, Czech President Babiš denied that the Visegrad Four had suggested Šefčovič for any post, after reports that Šefčovič had allegedly been chosen as the V4's joint candidate for European Commission president. This was followed by a statement by Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák that in fact Šefčovič had become a joint candidate of the Visegrad Four for a top position in the new European structures. Following this, Commissioner Šefčovič issued his own statement, saying that he's very pleased with the support of the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four countries that have suggested him for a top EU position, and that he feels ready to capitalise on his previous experience in European politics.
It's up to EU leaders, in communication with the European Parliament (EP), to decide on a nomination for the post of European Commission president. The EP will then hold a vote on their suggestions. Šefčovič would therefore have to gain support from regions other than the V4 countries in order to win the post. The fact that the EP will now be more fractured than it has been before could boost Šefčovič's chances.
