18/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission will discuss next week the departure of its Secretary General, Martin Selmayr of Germany, the same week (see EUROPE 12297/3). "Martin Selmayr informed the college of Commissioners of his choice on Tuesday and his decision was accepted. The college will discuss the consequences of this departure next week", said the institution's spokeswoman, Mina Andreeva, on July 18. When asked about potential candidates, she indicated that the selection procedure had not started and that the final decision will be made by the college of Commissioners. However, she qualified Martin Selmayr's comments on the nationality of the future secretary, which, in her opinion, does not necessarily have to be French. "The question of the nationality of the future Secretary General is still open", she said, while rumours were circulating about the names of Olivier Guersent (current Director General of Financial Services) or Jean-Eric Paquet (Director General of Research and Innovation Services). (SPj)