VIENNA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Austria's parliament and government on Thursday nominated current European Commissioner Johannes Hahn to continue his position for another five-year term.
Austrian Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein said she believed Hahn, presently commissioner for European neighborhood policy and enlargement negotiations, is an "extremely suitable candidate" for the role, and thanked all parties for supporting Hahn's renewed term as commissioner.
In regard to speculation that President-elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen might reject Hahn's renewed term as she was seeking a 50-percent female cabinet in Brussels, Bierlein said she saw it "unlikely," according to Austria Press Agency.
Bierlein said greater female representation is very important and lauded the election of von der Leyen as the first female in the top job at the European Commission, but also noted that Hahn had gained broad support in the Austrian parliament.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also congratulated Hahn and wished him all the best, saying he hopes he can work with von der Leyen to "advance our European project."
Hahn expressed thanks and said he would like to remain in the foreign affairs domain in the commission.
He also said he has made important network connections during his tenure as commissioner thus far, and noted the importance of "continuity" in foreign politics.
