On Monday, the daily newspaper reported that Turmes had said on the sidelines of a press conference he would not say “no” if the opportunity arose.

Turmes, who has been an MEP for almost two decades, is a member of the Luxembourg Green Party and the European Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance. He is currently a member the committee on industry, research and energy and the delegation for relations with India. Turmes has a degree in physical and sports education and a diploma in environmental sciences. His official biography also notes that he has taken courses in teaching yoga. Last year he published a book “Energy Transformation, An Opportunity for Europe”.

According to the Wort, in 2013 Turmes came close to being appointed commissioner but Luxembourg’s government put forward Nicolas Schmit (LSAP). Later Schmit stepped aside, allowing Jean-Claude Juncker (CSV) to become president of the European Commission in 2014.

Since Juncker has said he will not stand for a second term, the position is expected to become vacant in 2019.