Today’s Movers & Shakers are about: Four MEPs join the Greens/EFA group, the new vice-chair of the S&D group, Josep Borrell appoints next secretary-general of EEAS, results of the Romanian election, the latest Commission, public affairs appointments, and more!
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European Parliament
MEP News
Sven Schulze (EPP, DE) is looking a likely contender to chair the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the Germany state of Saxony-Anhalt, succeeding Holger Stahlknecht. Schulze joined the Parliament in 2014 and is currently second vice-chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN). In addition to working in the Brussels bubble, Schulze was also elected secretary-general of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt in 2016.
Political Groups
Greens/EFA
The group has welcomed four new MEPs, formerly from the Italian 5 Star Movement (M5S). Rosa D'Amato, Ignazio Corrao, Eleonora Evi, and Piernicola Pedicini joined the group by unanimous acclamation on Wednesday bringing the total number of MEPs in the group to 73. The four Italians had previously sat together with their party along with other non-attached MEPs but a disagreement between the MEPs and fellow members of the M5S delegation on reform of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was the catalyst for the move.
S&D
Pedro Marques (PT) was elected as new vice-chair of the group on Tuesday, succeeding outgoing MEP Miriam Dalli (MT). Marques has said that amongst his priorities in the role will be the fight against populism, climate change and human rights.
European Commission
Directorates-General and Services
Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS)
Timo Pesonen will take over as the acting deputy director-general, replacing Pierre Delsaux who was recently appointed new deputy director-general for health in the Health and Food Safety Directorate-General (SANTE).
Other EU Institutions and Agencies
European Central Bank (ECB)
Frank Elderson (NL) has officially been appointed member of the executive board, replacing Yves Mersch (LU). Elderson is currently a member of the executive board of De Nederlandsche Bank (the national central bank of The Netherlands). He will commence his duties as of 15 December 2020 for a non-renewable term of eight years.
External Action Service (EEAS)
High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell has appointed Stefano Sannino as next secretary-general succeeding Helga Maria Schmid. Sannino is currently deputy secretary-general for Economic and Global Issues and has performed the role since April 2020. Previously, he was the Ambassador of Italy to Spain and the Italian Permanent Representative to the EU. Sannino has also served as Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission. Schmid has recently been appointed OSCE secretary-general.
Council of the European Union
Permanent Representations
Austria
Spokesperson for Coreper I Vera Pürerfellner is departing the representation to take on a role as spokesperson for Austrian EU Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler. Pürerfellner will be succeeded by Theresa-Sophie Stiegler who was previously a legal adviser within the representation.
Public Affairs
CEMA – European Agricultural Machinery Organisation
Thierry Krier, president and CEO of KUHN Group, was elected as president. Krier succeeds Anthony van der Ley (LEMKEN), who was elected President of the German association representing agricultural machinery manufacturers, VDMA Landtechnik.
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National News
Romania
The Social Democrats (PES) took a narrow lead over the governing National Liberal Party (EPP) with over 30 per cent of the vote after Sunday's parliamentary elections. However, it is likely that the National Liberal Party will remain in power and form a coalition with the Save Romania Union (ALDE) and the Democratic Union of Hungarians (EPP).
Following the poor result by the National Liberal Party, the now former prime minister Ludovic Orban resigned on Monday. Defense minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă was named interim prime minister by president Klaus Iohannis on Monday evening. Ciucă is a former general and army chief of staff who formally joined the National Liberal Party in October.
Want to know more? Click here for more information on our Dods People EU service.
Movers and Shakers will be taking a short break over the holidays. The first Movers and Shakers of 2021 will be published on the Parliament Magazine website on 8 January.
