Slovenia’s pick for next EU Commissioner has hit back at allegations of links to the former Yugoslav secret services levelled by the head of Slovenia’s European People’s Party (EPP) delegation in the European Parliament.

EPP MEP Romana Tomc told Euronews that Marta Kos is “completely unacceptable” and “problematic” for the EPP, the largest group in the Parliament, citing Kos’ experience and alleged links to the former Yugoslav secret police.

“These accusations first surfaced when I announced my candidacy for the presidency of the Republic of Slovenia in 2022 with the intention of discrediting me,” Kos responded in a written statement to Euronews.

“Before I became Ambassador to Germany and Switzerland, I was vetted by the security services in both countries; I got my approval without any problems. If I were ever to harm Slovenia’s interests, I would not be able to work in the Slovenian government or be an ambassador,” she said.

Of Tomc’s suggestion that Kos lacked executive experience, Kos said it was a lie and a smear.

“I was Director of the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Communication and Government Spokesperson for two years; Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia for three years. It was during this time that I was the supervisor of Mrs Tomc, who seems to have forgotten this. I remember her well, because she did a good job as Head of the Public Procurement Service,” Kos said.

“During my seven-year tenure as Ambassador, four years in Germany and three years in Switzerland, I was honored to be named Ambassador of the Year in 2016 (by Diplomatisches Magazin). I also received a high German medal of honour for my work – Great Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany,” Kos said, adding: “I served as the Director of the GKTI Slovenia, a franchise company of the Gustav Käser Training International in Switzerland, for eight years.”

“Tomc’s remark that I was nominated solely because I am a woman, disregards my extensive knowledge, experience, and competence from a 35-year career. Yes, I am a woman, but what matters most are always expertise, competence, and the ability to contribute meaningfully,”

“Gender is not, and should never be, the primary qualification for such roles. Her statement also goes against one of the EU’s most important objectives, which is to promote gender equality,” according to Kos.

Ljubljana’s last-minute change of Commissioner nominees, which delayed President Ursula von der Leyen’s portfolio reveal, ignited a row between PM Robert Golob and the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party, to which Tomc belongs and which he accuses of sabotage.

Tomaž Vesel, ex-head of the national Court of Auditors, was originally proposed before the summer, a decision re-confirmed by the government as recently as last week (3 September), before Ljubljana relented and agreed to send a woman.

“Why he changed his mind remains a mystery,” said Tomc, accusing Golob of simply caving to von der Leyen’s demands. She further suggested that Vesel had a better chance of passing the European Parliament’s scrutiny, claiming that the political landscape has shifted.

That U-turn is creating a political storm in Slovenia, which threatens to further delay von der Leyen’s plans.

By law Kos must now attend a hearing of the Slovenian National Assembly’s EU Affairs Committee, which had originally been scheduled for Friday.