Brussels, 02/04/2014 (Agence Europe) -The European Commission confirmed on Wednesday 2 April that six commissioners would be taking electoral leave from their duties in order to campaign in the European elections. (22-25 May): Viviane Reding, justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, Olli Rehn, economic and monetary affairs and the euro, Maros Sefcovic, inter-institutional relations and administration, Janusz Lewandowski, financial programming and the budget, Neven Mimica, consumer policy and Antonio Tajani, industry and entrepreneurship. Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht has been granted a specific status whereby he will continue to fulfil his duties and will not take electoral leave to actively campaign in the elections.
On Wednesday, a Commission spokesperson, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, explained that this configuration had been decided by President José Manuel Barroso for the members who intend to “to participate actively in the election campaign”. The commissioners will take their electoral leave on 19 April apart Rehn, who will be leaving 7 April, due to the Finnish elections, which means he has to prolong his election campaign to ensure a maximum of individual votes, explained one Commission source. These commissioners will return on 26 May, the day after the elections and will be expected to resign at the end of June if they are elected to the European Parliament and decide that they will take up their seats. This electoral leave is unpaid and the commissioners can no longer draw on the human and material resources of the European Commission.
The De Gucht case
Karel De Gucht has been at the helm in the negotiations on the free-trade agreement with the US and clearly indicated that he did not intend to actively participate in this election campaign. He was adamant that he would not take up a seat at the European Parliament if he were elected. The spokesperson provided assurances that the code of conduct applied to this situation and allows commissioners to remain in their jobs if the election activities do not encroach on the tasks they have to assume at the Commission. The spokeswoman added that the first criterion to be met involved devoting the bulk of one's time to the post of commissioner. Barroso considers that this criterion has been fulfilled and De Gucht's position is compatible with the code. By making this choice, however, it is not certain that De Gucht will escape criticism.
During this period, the portfolios of the six Commissioners will be overseen by their colleagues. Siim Kallas (transport) will manage the rather weighty dossiers of Olli Rehn, Johannes Hahn (regional policy) will oversee those of Viviane Reding, Michel Barnier (internal market/services) those of Antonio Tajani, Andris Piebalgs (development) will stand in for Janusz Lewandoski, Lazslo Andor (employment and social affairs) will take over the dossiers of Neven Mimica and José Manuel Barroso will be responsible for the tasks carried out by Maros Sefcovic.
Another decision will now have to be taken immediately following the elections, namely that of whether the commissioners elected to the Parliament will be replaced, in an effort to see the current Commission through to the end of its term of office. (SP)