The rejection of Gerry Cross' candidature for the function of Executive Director of the European Banking Authority (EBA) was confirmed by a narrow majority (336 votes against, 272 in favour, 48 abstentions) by the European Parliament plenary on Thursday 30 January in a secret ballot (see EUROPE 12410/2).
This opinion is binding and unprecedented, excluding Parliament's rejection in 2012 of Mr Mersch's appointment to the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, even though this opinion was not binding (see EUROPE 10718/23).
“The EBA has seen a lot of turmoil” with the ‘Farkas’ revolving door case, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew Europe, France), shadow rapporteur on this issue, told EUROPE.
In December, MEPs were consulted on three candidates previously selected by the European authority's Management Board itself. And, “unanimously”, we had chosen a French candidate who already works at the EBA, Yon-Courtin said.
On Thursday, the vote was much closer. MEPs have been under strong pressure, particularly from the Irish and German authorities, which explains, among other things, the EPP Group's division on the issue.
Single Resolution Board. On the other hand, Parliament approved by a large majority the candidacies of Jan de Carpentier, Jesús Saurina and Pedro Machado in the Single Resolution Board, the European agency responsible for resolving large failing banks in the euro area. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)