Günther Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, said on Tuesday 26 March in Strasbourg that the expedited appointment of Martin Selmayr, the former Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Commission, as Secretary General of the Commission, has respected the rules and is even irrevocable (see EUROPE 12004/4).
As part of the exercise on the discharge to be given in respect of the implementation of the 2017 EU budget, which was voted on Tuesday 26 March at the end of the day (see other news), the European Parliament once again criticised this appointment.
But, for the Commission, “which ensured that it answered the questions and gave access to all the files” requested by the European Ombudsman and Parliament, “our position has not changed: this appointment was made in accordance with the rules on the Staff Regulations, case law and the provisions in force”, said Commissioner Oettinger. He added that the President of the institution and all the Commissioners have “full confidence in him”, as he has “all the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to perform his duties”, assured Mr Oettinger.
“We do not intend to review our decision; moreover, it is impossible, an appointment cannot be revoked”, continued Mr Oettinger. He also announced, probably to reassure MEPs, that he would issue calls for tenders for appointments at very high levels in the Commission.
Mr Andrieu requests that Mr Selmayr be suspended from duty. MEP Éric Andrieu (S&D, France) asked in plenary that President Jean-Claude Juncker explain himself to the conference of group leaders on the practices in this case around the appointment of the Secretary General. He also called for the creation of a committee of inquiry within Parliament “to clarify the matter” and for Mr Selmayr to be suspended from his duties, “because the case is serious from the point of view of compliance with the institutions' internal rules”, Mr Andrieu said. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)