12/04/2018 (Agence Europe) – Amazed at the express appointment of Martin Selmayr to the post of secretary general of the European Commission (see EUROPE 11996), the S&D Group in the European Parliament wants a reform of the appointment procedures for senior officials in all the European institutions, at a time when nine director posts are to be filled at the European Parliament (see EUROPE 11976). "We are very concerned at the way Mr Selmayr was appointed (...) Our group will ask for a change to the rules of appointment to very high positions, not only for the Commission but also for the Parliament", Maria João Rodrigues (S&D, Portuguese) stated on Thursday 12 April. In her view, professional experience must count as much as trust with the political level. She added: "This means that once the rules are revised, we should revisit the process of appointing Mr. Selmayr". (MB)