Brussels, 23/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The future Polish Commissioner, Elzbieta Bienkowska, will be in charge of a very thick portfolio. After having gathered under her wing the areas of the internal market, industry and entrepreneurship, the president of the European Commission confirmed on Wednesday 22 October, that she would also be in charge of space (this dossier was initially going to be included in the transport portfolio but will remain under the remit of industry). Certain concerns have been expressed, because the task of the Commissioner is in danger of getting even heavier.
The EuroCommerce association represents retail and wholesale trade and on Thursday 23 October expressed its disappointment and fear of the Polish Commissioner's attention being “diluted”. The organisation's director, Christian Verschueren, is afraid that Bienkowska could be completely overwhelmed due to the numerous new competences allocated to her. This sector represents one out of every four businesses and is recommending that priority is given to digital policy for consumers and traders, particularly SMEs. (MD)