The heads of DG ENER and DG TRADE will change in a significant personnel reshuffle, Commission officials revealed to Euractiv.
The key portfolios will fall under new leadership on 1 June, as the EU faces a fuel shock and severe trade instability. DG ENER will be taken over by French career official Céline Gauer, while the current head of the energy department, Ditte Juul Jorgensen, will head DG TRADE, replacing Sabine Weyand.
Economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis insisted that Weyand was not being demoted but fitted with a broader “principle of rotation of management”. Weyand, previously seen as a high-flier in the Commission, will take on a special advisory position in the Commission’s secretariat-general, the steering body of the EU executive.
Roundup
Brussels strongarms capitals to cut red tape – The Commission will take “more robust” legal action against EU countries that obstruct a drive to cut regulations and reduce market fragmentation, economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis said. The executive will step up procedures to “simplify” the EU’s regulatory landscape and revive the bloc’s flagging economy.
Animal transport progress – The co-rapporteurs for the Parliament’s report on animal welfare during transport have agreed on a draft roadmap to break a years-long deadlock. The text proposes shortening journey times, expanding minimum space allowances for animals and tightening restrictions on transport during extreme temperatures.
Parliament budget position solidifies – MEPs have joined the battle over the EU’s next long-term budget with demands for increased spending and a more predictable financing plan for 2028-2034. Parliament is pushing for a 10% increase across the budget’s three programme headings, which sets their negotiation position at €2 trillion in current prices; the Commission’s current proposal stands at €1.8 trillion.
Across Europe
Germany to ramp up tobacco tax – Germany is preparing one of its steepest increases in tobacco taxes in years, as EU states enter a critical phase in negotiations over reform of the bloc’s tobacco excise rules. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Monday that smokers should “pay more,” with draft proposals outlining significant rises in duties on cigarettes, fine-cut tobacco and heated products.
Magyar’s enforcer – Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, has chosen one of his political advisers, Bálint Ruff, to head his office. Ruff will be tasked with pushing through, overseeing and defending his reforms – notably an anti-corruption drive that will target many of Viktor Orbán’s entourage.
Moldova ready to step up Ukraine support – Moldova has signalled its intention to join the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine, with experts stressing that, despite its limited defence budget, the country could offer significant logistical support alongside specialised expertise. The coalition, chaired by France and the UK, includes roughly 35 countries.
Source:
www.euractiv.com