Slovenian EU nominee withdraws, easing new Commission approval

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Slovenia's Alenka Bratusek has withdrawn her candidacy for a post on the European Commission, easing the task of the executive's leader, President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker, in completing parliamentary approval for his team. "Her decision reflects her commitment to the European Union, to Slovenia and to the democratic process," Juncker said in a statement. "With her decision, she is helping me to finalize the composition of the European Commission." Bratusek, alone of Juncker's 27 nominees from EU member states, was rejected by lawmakers for a place on the executive. The Slovenian government can now propose a replacement. Juncker said he was in close contact with Slovenia's prime minister. (Reporting by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Alastair Macdonald)