Today’s Movers & Shakers are about: Plenary week highlights, the new French Commissioner-designate, the German ECB nomination, inauguration of Portuguese government, latest Parliament delegation changes, and more!
European Parliament
Plenary week highlights
On Tuesday, MEPs debated the outcomes of the EU Summit that took place on 17 and 18 October, and in particular the Brexit agreement that was made between EU and UK negotiators. Most MEPs agreed that Parliament should only vote on the deal after the UK has given its approval.
Wednesday saw Parliament adopt its position on the EU budget for next year, including backing a proposal that would see an additional €2 billion to fight climate change. MEPs also asked the Commission to come up with stricter rules to protect bees from pesticides on the same day.
On Thursday, Parliament confirmed its support for opening up EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
Delegations
Cariforum Delegation (D-CAR)
James WELLS (NI, UK) joins as a member, replacing John LONGWORTH (NI, UK).
Iraq Delegation (D-IQ)
Marco CAMPOMENOSI (ID, IT) has joined as a member, replacing Antonio Maria RINALDI (ID, IT).
Korean Peninsula Delegation (D-KOR)
Antonio Maria RINALDI (ID, IT) has joined as a member replacing Marco CAMPOMENOSI (ID, IT)
Moldova Delegation (D-MD)
Miroslav RADAČOVSKÝ (NI, SK) has moved from substitute to member, replacing Mislav KOLAKUŠIĆ (NI, CZ) who leaves the committee.
Palestine Delegation (D-PAL)
César LUENA (S&D, ES) joins as a member.
Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) joins as a substitute.
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European Commission
Commissioners-designate
President Emmanuel MACRON has nominated former Finance Minister Thierry BRETON as France’s new Commissioner-designate. BRETON replaces original nominee Sylvie GOULARD, who was rejected by the Parliament earlier this month, due to ethical issues.
Commissioner cabinets
Ursula von der Leyen
Stéphanie RISO will be von der Leyen’s deputy head of Cabinet. Jivka PETKOVA, who is a member of VON DER LEYEN’s transition team, will be director for coordination and administration. Peteris USTUBS, the EU’s current ambassador to Canada, will become VON DER LEYEN’s diplomatic adviser and Kurt VANDENBERGHE will advise her on the European Green Deal.
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European External Action Service
Sorin Dumitru DUCARU has taken on his new function as Head of Unit, EU Satellite Centre/ SatCen, replacing Pascal LEGAI.
Economic and Global Issues
Christine GRAU is the new Head of Division, Migration and Human Security in the Human Rights, Global and Multilateral Issues Department, replacing Lucie SAMCOVA.
Claudia GINTERSDORFER is the new Head of Division, Regional Affairs in the Americas Multilateral Department, replacing Manfredo FANTI.
European Central Bank
The German government has nominated academic and economist Isabel SCHNABEL (DE) to the Executive Board. SCHNABEL will replace Sabine Lautenschlaeger, who resigned from the ECB board last month.
The Bank has also said that it has no objection to the proposed appointment of Fabio PANETTA (IT) to the Executive Board. If appointed, PANETTA will replace Benoit COEURÉ whose term ends on 31 December.
European Ombudsman
After a call for nominations was published in the EU Official Journal on 30 August, the names of the five EU Ombudsman candidates for the next five-year term have been announced. The candidates are: Giuseppe FORTUNATO, Julia LAFFRANQUE, Nils MUIŽNIEKS, Emily O’REILLY, and Cecilia WIKSTRÖM. Candidates will be invited to present their priorities in a hearing held by the Petitions Committee on 3 December.
Public Affairs
Incisive Health
Clara ROMERO and Hannah GARRETT join the team as Account Directors. Clara ROMERO was previously at Hanover while Hannah GARRETT joins from Fipra.
European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT)
Robert O’MEARA has been appointed to the new role of Communications Director.
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National News
Brexit
Boris JOHNSON’s pledge to leave the EU by the 31 October has been abandoned, in favour of a push for a 12 December election. Earlier this week MPs backed an amendment outlining that the government must request a Brexit delay from the EU, until all legislation is ratified. The EU will extend the October deadline but for how long remains unclear. Most EU member states are in support of a January 31 extension, but French President Emmanuel MACRON has pushed back on this date.
France
Sandro GOZI has resigned as adviser to the French Prime Minister. It has been a tumultuous week for GOZI, after it was announced that he also worked as a personal consultant for Joseph MUSCAT, the Prime Minister of Malta.
Poland
Following the Polish elections earlier on this month, Deputy Prime Minister Jacek SASIN announced on Wednesday that the new cabinet will be announced shortly after the first sitting of the new parliament on the 12 November.
Portugal
President Marcelo Rebelo DE SOUSA has given his assent to Prime Minister Antonio COSTAs proposals for the Secretaries of State. The inauguration ceremony will take place on the 26 October.
Romania
Prime Minister-Designate Ludovic ORBAN presented his government formation proposals on Thursday. It proposes 16 portfolio ministers alongside the Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister. The new administration is expected to sit next Wednesday.
