11 September 2014

European Commission Portfolios and proposed structure: mixed reactions

The Guardian Newspaper sees the announcement as Juncker calling the bluff of member states, appointing figures (e.g. Moscoivici and Hill) to enforce actions/ policies against their native countries, in Moscovici's case enforcing european economic governance against a recalcitrant France and in Hill' case, to manage the City's resistance to financial reform.

Read Guardian Article

The ACCA's Petros Fassoulas, Head of Public Affairs - Europe said: 

'The new Commission has the right structure and credentials to deliver meaningful solutions for the challenges faced by the EU. Growth, better regulation, investment are what's needed and the new Commission has a big role to play in helping the EU deliver for its Member States and their citizens.

ACCA champions the needs of SMEs especially their access to finance and to the digital agenda, as well as their internationalisation. We therefore welcome the creation of a new Internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SME portfolio, which for the first time includes a specific mention of the backbone of all European economies – SMEs- in the title.'

ACCA statement

European Voice sees a careful balancing act being performed by Juncker, holding together the 'competing forces' that shaped the college, in evidence by the choice and allocations to the two senior vice-presidents. It also notes criticism of nominees, particularly Sr. Miguel Arias Cañete, the Spaniard selected to be climate and energy commissioner.

Press reaction

Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, Commission president
Tageblatt, a newspaper in Luxembourg, says that the new European Commission “should be given a chance”, though they question the co-ordinator roles: “Should there be more co-ordinators to co-ordinate them?” The ambitious plans of Juncker to invest in economy and bring economic growth are seen as necessary.

The Netherlands, Frans Timmermans,  vice-president for better regulation
Dutch media has a sense of pride in Timmerman’s appointment as Juncker’s right-hand man. He gained lots of support for his speeches following the MH17 plane crash and he is known for his multi-lingualism and policy knowledge. The main question broadcaster NOS asks is what exactly his tasks will entail. NOS also wonders whether this replacement position and veto-rights will lead to a power struggle. Will Timmermans have enough political standing that others will actually listen to him?

Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, vice-president for the energy union
The appointment of Bratušek as one of the vice-presidents caused much discussion in Slovenia. Opposition parties wrote a letter to Juncker, website Blic reports, saying that she is “the worst president in the country’s history”, they also wonder if she will make it through the European Parliament hearings.

Finland, Jyrki Katainen, vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness
Katainen will be one of the “super commissioners”, Finnish broadcaster YLE says. This gives him “a big say over central economic policy”, according to the front-page of Tampere’s Aamulehti.

Italy, Federica Mogherini, high representative for foreign policy
The appointment of Mogherini to minister of foreign affairs has been criticised in Italian media before as she would not be senior enough. However, giving her the high representative position in the next Commission gives “great international visibility” to Italy. Newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore says that the country “should feel pride”.

Poland, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs
Polish radio station RMF praises the appointment of Bieńkowska to the Commission. Her portfolio seems to suit her as well: “she knows everything about European funds” and she is practically an EU-official already. When she was a minister of regional development, she managed to get a lot of EU funding for the country, so allocating her with the internal market post is not a strange choice.
 

European Voice article on reaction (subscription required.)

European Voice article on criticism of Commissioners.

The Eurosceptic lobby group OpenEurope is midly supportive of the new Commission, saying 'This looks to be a positive Commission for the UK and the EU. Not only did the UK secure a prime post in terms of financial services, but other crucial posts (Internal Market and Competition) are held by liberal, pro-free trade, non-eurozone countries.'

OpenEurope blog

© Graham Bishop