30/09/2019 (Agence Europe) – As of 30 September, more than 10,000 scientists, including 19 Nobel Prize winners, have requested a Commissioner for Research in the ‘von der Leyen’ Commission in an open letter to the President of the European Parliament and the current and future Presidents of the European Commission. “With this open letter, we ask that the European Commission revises the title for Commissioner Mariya Gabriel's to ‘Education, Research, Innovation and Youth’ reflecting Europe's dedication to all of these crucial areas”, they explain. Currently, Ms Gabriel's title is limited to ‘Innovation and Youth’ and, according to them, this means that the focus is on economic exploitability rather than its foundation. The scientists argue that Parliament should request this name change before confirming the nominated candidates. See the letter, open for signatures until 8 October: http://bit.ly/2mki658 (CG)