MNI BRIEF: Irish PM: McGrath Well Placed for Important EC Economic Role

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Thursday that his government's nominee for EU commissioner Michael McGrath is well placed and qualified to take an important economic role in the next EU Commission, although accepting the decision itself would ultimately fall to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

"He is well placed to do that based on his political and ministerial experience he has and also his own professional qualifications," he added. 

Harris said there was a "consensus" among leaders meeting in Brussels today that von der Leyen should be nominated to take a second term as Commission president. The leaders are expected to approve that choice along with Portugal's Antonio Costa as president of the European Council and Estonia's Kaja Kallas as High Representative for External Relations. (see MNI: Meloni To Back Von Der Leyen In EU Commission Deal-Source)