Today’s Movers & Shakers are about: Lithuanian and Swedish Commissioner nominations, the Italian government crisis, a Romanian minister sacked, Poland's parliamentary election date announced and the latest Commission and EEAS appointments!
European Parliament
Committee and Delegations
Turkey Delegation (D-TR)
Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE) is no longer a substitute.
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European Commission
Commissioner nominations
Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, acting Minister of Economy and Innovation, has been nominated by Lithuanian President Gitanas NAUSĖDA to be Lithuania’s representative on the next Commission. SINKEVIČIUS, if approved by Parliament, would be the first member of a Green Party to sit on the European Commission.
Sweden has nominated Employment Minister Ylva JOHANSSON for the Commission, replacing outgoing Cecilia MALMSTRÖM who has served in the role since 2010.
Directorates-General
Communications (DG COMM)
Richard KÜHNEL has been appointed Acting Director of Directorate C (Representation and Communication in Member States), replacing former Acting Director Sixtine BOUYGUES. BOUYGUES remains Deputy Director-General of the whole Directorate-General.
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EG ECHO)
Michael KÖHLER has been appointed Deputy Director General, filling a vacant position.
Jean-Louis DE BROUWER has left the position of Director of Directorate C (Neighbourhood and Middle East), with Juha AUVINEN becoming Acting Director.
Eurostat
Gallo GUEYE has been appointed Deputy Director General, replacing Mariana KOTZEVA who had been Acting in the position while also serving as Director General.
GUEYE therefore leaves the position of Director of Directorate F (Social Statistics) with Jean-Louis MERCY becoming Acting Director.
Commissioner Cabinets
Cabinet of Johannes HAHN
David MÜLLER has been appointed as the new Head of Cabinet, replacing the departing Michael KARNITSCHNIG. MÜLLER’s previous position as Advisor has not yet been filled.
Kyriacos CHARALAMBOUS has been appointed as the new Deputy Head of Cabinet, replacing the departing Hanna JAHNS.
Sigrid BRETTEL has been appointed as a new Member of the Cabinet.
Additionally, there has been an extensive reshuffle of Cabinet responsibilities.
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European External Action Service
Representations and Delegations
External Delegations
Johann SATTLER has been appointed as EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will also take over the position of Head of the EU delegation to Bosnia. He replaces Lars-Gunnar WIGEMARK.
Public Affairs
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National News
Bulgaria
Economist Kristalina GEORGIEVA has won the EU nomination for the position of IMF Managing Director, which makes her favourite for the position due to the long-standing agreement with the United States that ensures that a European leads the IMF.
Italy
Months of instability and tension between the League party (ID) and its coalition partners Five Star Movement (NI) came to a head on Wednesday when parliament rejected a motion by Five Star Movement to block the controversial Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link. Deputy prime minister, Matteo SALVINI of the League then called for a snap election on Thursday, urging prime minister Giuseppe CONTE to reconvene parliament to confirm that the coalition government was no longer viable. While chances of an early election taking place in October have increased considerably, a government split will not be official until a formal act, such as a vote of no confidence or the prime-minister's resignation, takes place. The League are currently at 39 percent in opinion polls while support for Five Star Movement has dramatically dropped to 15 percent.
Poland
The office of the President confirmed that Poland would hold its next Parliamentary election on 13 October. The incumbent Law and Justice Party (ECR) currently lead the polls.
Romania
Ecaterina ANDRONESCU was sacked as Education Minister by Prime Minister Viorica DANCILA following comments about a prominent kidnapping case. Valer-Daniel BREAZ shall serve as interim Education Minister until a permanent replacement is found.
