Four senior lieutenants within the European Commission have expressed dissatisfaction with the upcoming appointment of Markus Pieper, a fellow CDU member, to a taxpayer-funded position as Envoy for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. They have raised concerns about transparency and collective decision-making, calling for a broader discussion on the process surrounding high-level appointments within the Commission. The commissioners fear that President Ursula von der Leyen may be neglecting the collective responsibility of the EU executive’s decision-making body by pushing through the appointment while other key members are absent on official business.
The four commissioners, along with MEPs and activists, have urged von der Leyen to reconsider the appointment of Pieper, who is set to begin his new role next week. Despite receiving a response from EU Human Resources Commissioner Johannes Hahn stating that the decision to hire Pieper was within the usual margin of discretion for such appointments, the concerns of the commissioners remain unaddressed. Questions have also been raised about the objectivity of von der Leyen, particularly in light of other appointments that have been made within her inner circle, such as naming Sauli Niinistö to write a report on defense policy.
Hahn has defended the Pieper appointment, stating that all procedural requirements were fully observed and that the selection process was conducted fairly. However, rumors have circulated that Pieper may not have been the best qualified candidate for the position, with suggestions that he was outperformed by two female candidates before being interviewed by von der Leyen’s chief of staff. This has fueled further concerns about political favoritism and the need for appointments to be made based on merit rather than personal connections.
The controversy surrounding Pieper’s appointment is set to escalate further, with a European Parliamentary amendment calling for the appointment to be rescinded scheduled to be debated in the coming days. MEPs have voiced their dissatisfaction with the rushed nature of the appointment, suggesting that the process may not have been conducted fairly. MEP Martina Dlabajová has also filed a formal complaint with the Commission over the appointment process, adding to the growing scrutiny surrounding the decision.
Despite the ongoing opposition and concerns raised by senior commissioners and MEPs, von der Leyen has indicated that Pieper will start his duties as planned on April 16, 2024. It remains to be seen whether a debate will be held to address the issues raised by the dissenting commissioners. The controversy surrounding the appointment of Pieper highlights broader concerns about transparency and decision-making processes within the European Commission, as well as the need for appointments to be made based on merit rather than personal connections or political affiliations.
