Today’s Movers & Shakers are about two Romanian candidate announcements for the European Commission, appointment of the Minister for the Interior and Administration in Poland, and a scheduled no confidence vote in coalition government in Italy.
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica DĂNCILĂ, following President-Designate Ursula VON DEN LEYEN’s request, have proposed two candidates for Romania’s place on the European Commission. They are Rovana PLUMB, former Minister in charge of EU Funds, and Dan NICA, former Communications Minister. Romania is one of only a few countries to follow VON DEN LEYEN’s request that countries propose two candidates; one male and one female.
Budget (DG BUDG)
Linda ROWAN has been appointed Head of Unit R2 (HR Business Correspondent, Finance and Internal Control) replacing Acting Head of Unit Daniela GHEORGHE.
Marco CARNACCINI has left the position of Head of Task Force: Administrative Efficiency/Business Process Reengineering (BPR), leaving the position vacant.
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Public Affairs
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New Flemish Alliance (EFA) leader Bart DE WEVER spoke pessimistically about the possibility that a government will be formed quickly; predicting that the country would go at least 100 days before negotiations even start.
Brexit
According to plans that have been drawn up by Downing Street, British diplomats will pull out from the EU’s institutional structures in Brussels within days, in a step that is meant to reinforce the message that the UK is leaving the EU by 31 October. Prime minister Boris JOHNSON had said in his first statement in the House of Commons that he would “unshackle” British diplomacy from EU affairs.
Brexit Secretary Stephen BARCLAY is set to sign an order to formally repeal the European Communities Act of 1972 in the next few days.
US President Donald TRUMP has spoken positively about his relationship with Prime Minister Boris JOHNSON and has said that US and UK officials are quickly progressing on a trade deal. However, Nancy PELOSI, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has said that her Democratic Party would oppose any trade deal if Brexit risks peace in Northern Ireland.
Major figures opposed to a no-deal Brexit have agreed to meet, following Labour Party leader Jeremy CORBYN’s proposal that if the government is defeated in a Vote of Confidence that he would lead a temporary government that would seek an extension to Article 50 in order to hold a General Election. Liberal Democrat leader Jo SWINSON opposes CORBYN becoming Prime Minister; suggesting long time MPs Ken CLARKE and Harriet HARMAN instead.
France
The Republicans (EPP) are looking for a new leader and there are currently three main contenders. Christian JACOB, head of The Republicans group in the National Assembly is the apparent front runner and has the support of many high-profile figures including Gérard LARCHER