Brussels, 10/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - As expected, Anna Diamantopoulou, who was at the head of the Pasok list for the elections in Greece on 7 March and who has just been elected to the Greek parliament, has decided to give up her portfolio as European Commissioner for Social Affairs and Employment. The new Greek Prime Minister, Costas Caramanlis, immediately appointed Stavros Dimas (63) to succeed her at the European Commission.
The spokesperson for the European Commission said on Wednesday that President Prodi had received Ms Diamantopoulou's letter of resignation together with that of the Greek Prime Minister putting Mr Dimas forward. He recalled that Mr Dimas is an "experienced politician" who has been minister several times (trade, agriculture, industry and energy). "The president has already written to the Council", the spokesperson continued, specifying that "Coreper is to note the fact" and approval of this appointment should be without debate during the Competitiveness Council on Thursday. He went on to say: "I suppose Mr Dimas will take up his post immediately afterward".
The appointment of a Commissioner during the Commission mandate simply requires approval by qualified majority in Council. The European Parliament, which is not consulted in this case, nonetheless intends to hold a "purely political" hearing of Mr Dimas. The hearing will be on the sidelines of hearings (from 13 to 16 April) of the ten Commissioners of the new Member States.