A draft seen by Euronews accuses Ursula von der Leyen of political favouritism in choosing Markus Pieper, from her personal get together, for the profitable official publish.
MEPs from a number of main political events will name for the European Fee to rethink a controversial official rent subsequent week, accusing its president Ursula von der Leyen of political favouritism, sources have instructed Euronews.
Lawmakers need the appointment of Markus Pieper as Fee envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be rescinded after they debate the fee’s funds subsequent week, in keeping with a draft modification seen by Euronews.
The modification “notes with concern that the profitable candidate is an outgoing MEP from President von der Leyen’s personal German political get together”, and “calls on the Fee to rectify the state of affairs by rescinding the appointment” and reopening the method.
Three sources acquainted with the talks have confirmed it’s supported by lawmakers from the Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe and Inexperienced groupings – the three largest events within the parliament after von der Leyen’s personal European Folks’s Celebration.
The measure wants to collect 36 signatures to be tabled throughout a 11 April debate on the funds discharge process – and proponents are “fairly assured” they’ll achieve doing so, in keeping with one supply.
The transfer would symbolize an upset for von der Leyen – who’s looking for appointment for a second time period as Fee president, and can doubtless want help from these different main political teams to be confirmed.
The Fee’s SME Envoy is meant to liaise with small-business lobbyists and guarantee their views are accounted for in policymaking. Pieper was appointed to the function just a few weeks in the past, giving him non permanent official standing at a grade with a base wage of round €17,000 monthly.
Different candidates had been reportedly MEP Martina Dlabajová (Czechia, Renew Europe) and Anna Stellinger of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
MEPs requested a precedence query of the Fee 5 weeks in the past, after media reviews surfaced that Pieper had been employed regardless of scoring lowest through the recruitment course of – however lawmaker Daniel Freund (Germany/Greens) immediately (3 April) posted on social media that he’s nonetheless ready for a response.
Lawmakers’ views of irregularities and favouritism have been shared by transparency campaigners.
“The Fee have disregarded their very own recruitment ideas to put in a political ally of President von der Leyen’s right into a extremely profitable civil service place,” Nick Aiossa, Director of Transparency Worldwide EU, instructed Euronews in a press release. “The Fee must urgently deal with considerations expressed by MEPs and civil society over the doubtful appointment.”
A spokesperson for the Fee stated he wouldn’t touch upon particular person procedures, however that the ultimate determination was taken by Commissioners performing “in a collegiate method.”
“The choice and appointment of the EU SME Envoy was performed in full compliance with the Fee’s procedures for the choice and appointment of senior officers,” the spokesperson stated.
Pieper didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
UPDATE (3 April, 6:12 CET): provides remark from Fee spokesperson.