Commission President stands ground on SME envoy pick despite mounting favouritism concerns

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is determined to appoint an EU lawmaker from her own party for a high-level job in her institution, despite a backlash from the European Parliament and demands by her senior commissioners to review the decision.

Despite concerns, “the [Commission] President has full confidence in the fact that the process was carried out in accordance with all the relevant procedures”, the chief Commission spokesperson, Eric Mamer, told the press on Thursday (4 April), as political pressure mounts on von der Leyen. 

The controversial appointment of German CDU member of the European Parliament Markus Pieper as the new EU envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest for von der Leyen back in February, as both of them belong to the same national party.

A handful of European Parliament deputies (MEPs) representing four political groups – Socialists, Liberals, Greens, and the Left – sent in late February a parliamentary question to the Commission demanding explanations about Pieper’s appointment and flagging their concerns over von der Leyen’s possible influence in the process. 

The MEPs sought more information on the results of the recruitment evaluations of Pieper and the two other co-finalists to certify whether the appointment was fair. They have also tabled an amendment to the annual Commission budget report, calling for von der Leyen to rescind Pieper’s appointment. 

In addition to MEPs’ concerns, four senior commissioners have asked von der Leyen in a formal letter to have the 27-strong College of commissioners discuss the topic.

“We consider it appropriate for the College to collectively discuss the answer to these allegations as well as the possible impact on the next steps in the recruitment process of Mr Markus Pieper as SME Envoy,” said the letter, seen by Euractiv. 

The letter was signed by three Socialist politicians – the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell, Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, and Jobs Commissioner Nicolas Schmit – as well as the liberal Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.

Breton himself was supposed to be part of the appointment process as the SME envoy works under his internal market portfolio, but the decision was taken while he was not in the room.

The commissioners have not received an answer by the time of publication, according to Euractiv’s information. 

With the EU elections two months away, such a letter could be seen as a possible campaign move, looking to hold the Commission’s president accountable. Attacks on von der Leyen have been piling up from all sides of the hemicycle in recent weeks. 

Recently, Breton lashed out against von der Leyen and her centre-right EPP party on X when she was confirmed as the EPP’s lead candidate, placing her bid to lead the Commission for another term. 

Meanwhile, Commissioner Schmit is her direct competitor for the Commission presidency as he is the Party of European Socialists’ lead candidate, or Spitzenkandidat.

The Commission created the SME envoy post to supplement the work of Breton, as an advisor who would bring in “experience and contacts from the sectors concerned in order to enrich our policymaking process”, a Commission spokesperson said. 

It is not yet decided when Pieper will take up his duties, as no contract has been signed yet.

[Edited by Aurélie Pugnet/Zoran Radosavljevic]

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