The European Commission, heavily criticised for its failure to react to the financial and economic crisis, has leapt into action. As noted by journalist Jean Quatremer in his blog, Coulisses de Bruxelles, the Commission's DG Administration has just launched an astonishing call for expressions of interest which demonstrates the extent of the crisis … or the Commission's unpreparedness. According to the call issued by DG Admin, the Commission urgently needs temporarily to build up its teams in the various DGs working on financial issues. DGs ECFIN, MARKT and COMP are looking for staff (officials, temporary agents, public contract agents and seconded national experts) currently working in other Commission services who would be interested in temporary work with them. “Less than a week to respond to the call (Ed: the deadline for submitting applications is 24 November 2008) is unprecedented in the history of the Commission and indicates the degree of panic,” comments Quatremer, adding: “It might be said that the Commission is now paying for its under-investment in the financial field since 2004”. (O.J./transl.rt)