07/10/2020 (Agence Europe) – At its plenary session on Wednesday 7 October, MEPs approved by a large majority (583 votes in favour, 75 against and 37 abstentions) the appointment of Mairead McGuinness as European Commissioner for Financial Services. At her hearing before the Economic Affairs Committee (ECON) last week (see EUROPE 12573/7), the Irish Christian Democrat showed strong mastery of the issues and confirmed that she would put European interests ahead of Irish interests, in particular by supporting all the European Commission’s initiatives in favour of fairer taxation. The GUE/NGL group has, however, publicly announced its intention to vote against her nomination. “She gave no reassurance to workers that she understands the challenges facing them. She brings no new ideas on how to deal with the economic crisis. She showed no interest in economic issues in 16 years as MEP”, it said on Twitter. (MF)