Four senior lieutenants in the CDU express dissatisfaction with the upcoming start of Markus Pieper in his taxpayer-funded role as the Envoy for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. Opposition to Pieper’s appointment has been growing, with MEPs and activists joining senior EU commissioners in calling for President Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider the decision. The quartet of commissioners – Josep Borrell, Thierry Breton, Paolo Gentiloni, and Nicolas Schmit – have raised concerns about transparency and collective decision-making in a letter to von der Leyen.
Despite receiving a response from EU Human Resources Commissioner Johannes Hahn stating that the appointment of Pieper was within the typical discretion for such senior positions, the four commissioners remain unsatisfied. They have requested a discussion on how to respond to European Parliament inquiries on the matter and have emphasized the need for transparency and collegiality in the appointment process at the Commission. There are concerns that von der Leyen may be prioritizing personal relationships and objectives over the supposed collective responsibility of the EU executive’s highest decision-making body.
Critics of von der Leyen have pointed to her recent appointment of Sauli Niinistö, a former Finnish President and member of her own party, to write a report on defense policy as evidence of potential bias. However, Hahn reiterated that the appointment of Pieper followed established Commission rules and procedures, with no ranking based on previous stages of the selection process. Pieper has signed his employment contract and is expected to begin his duties on April 16, despite initial confusion regarding the status of the contract.
The European Parliament is set to debate an amendment calling for Pieper’s appointment to be rescinded, with MEPs expressing concerns about rushing through what appears to be a case of political favoritism. MEP Daniel Freund emphasized the importance of merit-based appointments within the Commission and called for a reassessment of the entire procedure if merit was not the guiding factor in selecting Pieper. Another candidate, MEP Martina Dlabajová, has raised a formal complaint with the Commission over the process, indicating growing discontent among EU representatives.
It remains to be seen if von der Leyen will hold the requested debate on Pieper’s appointment, as a Commission spokesperson suggested it may be addressed under any other business. Despite the concerns raised by the four senior commissioners and other critics, the 16 April start date for Pieper’s duties has been confirmed. The ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment highlights broader issues of transparency, decision-making processes, and political influence within the EU, casting a shadow over von der Leyen’s bid for a second term in office. In the coming days, the debate in the European Parliament and the response from von der Leyen will shed light on the future implications of Pieper’s appointment and potential changes to the appointment process within the Commission.
