European Ombudsman publishes destructive report on the appointment of Selmayr following a complaint of D66

Met dank overgenomen van S.H. (Sophie) in 't Veld i, gepubliceerd op dinsdag 4 september 2018.

Today, European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly presented her findings and recommendations in response to a complaint regarding the flash appointment earlier this year of Martin Selmayr as Secretary-General of the European Commission. According to the Ombudsman, the situation in which Mr Selmayr was appointed Deputy Secretary-General and consequently Secretary General in the same meeting was “artificially created”. She argues that the controversial appointment of the highest official of the European Commission can be seen as clear mismanagement on four points. A very serious indictment to the detriment of European Commission’s reputation. 

D66 MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld responds: “the findings of the Ombudsman are destructive. They state exactly what D66 and later the European parliament indicated: An absolute pretence procedure had to ensure that Selmayr could be appointed as Secretary-General. D66 was - and is - of the opinion that the appointment should be reversed". 

New procedure for future appointments needed

While the Ombudsman does not push for the resignation of Mr Selmayr, she does argue that the European Commission should develop a new procedure for future appointments of the Secretary-General of the Commission. 

In ’t Veld: “I would like to know how the Commission intends to develop a new procedure, as the design of such a procedure will be in the hands of none other than Mr Selmayr himself." 

After the much discussed appointment D66 requested a study on the appointment procedures at the EU institutions. The findings of this study will be presented at the end of this year. 

According to D66, the European Parliament should review its own procedures as well. Appointments should be transparent and in both the letter and the spirit of the law. D66 requests the President of the European Parliament Tajani to ensure that new rules will be put in place with regard to appointments before the end of this period.

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