The outgoing Secretary-General of the European Commission, Martin Selmayr, has been appointed to Vienna as head of the EU’s delegation in Austria while also being named as a special advisor to EU President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Before taking up duties in Vienna on 1 November, Selmayr will continue acting as an adviser to Juncker on “important strategic matters,” according to the Commission’s announcement, which also stated, “In this function, Selmayr will continue to advise European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on important strategic issues until 31 October.”

Selmayr is expected to act as an advisor on Brexit now that Boris Johnson has become the UK’s new prime minister, who has reiterated that he intends for Britain to quit the EU without a deal on 31 October if there is no better divorce deal between Brussels and London. Juncker and the entire College of EU Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Selmayr for his “outstanding qualities and achievements” and thanked him for his “effective management”. Until a successor for Selmayr has been found, Jivka Petkova, a Bulgarian who is responsible for strategy, better lawmaking and organization leadership, and Michael Karnitschnig of Austria, head of foreign relations, will support the General Secretariat beginning on 1 August. Selmayr had been a major power broker in the Juncker Commission but his sudden appointment as secretary-general last year proved highly unpopular with many in Brussels. </s> Martin Selmayr, the outgoing European Commission secretary-general, will become the Commission's representative to Austria | Frederick Florin/AFP Via Getty Images Martin Selmayr’s new job: The EU’s man in Vienna European Commission’s most powerful civil servant will become chief representative in Austria.

Vienna, brace for impact.

Martin Selmayr, the outgoing European Commission secretary-general, will become the Commission's representative to Austria later this year. The College of Commissioners decided on the German official's move at their Wednesday meeting, according to two EU officials.

Selmayr, who will rank as an hors classe adviser to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker until he takes up his new role in Vienna in November, had announced his swift resignation as the EU executive's highest-ranking civil servant in an interview with Playbook last week in Strasbourg. “I won’t stay in Brussels,” Selmayr told Playbook in the interview, adding he would move to Austria after taking a "long holiday."

Now the nature of his new role in Austria has become clear. A post as the European Commission's emissary to a small member state is certainly far cry from the influence Selmayr currently enjoys in the EU's top administration job. But the same would apply to any other post the EU could offer.

In the interview with Playbook, Selmayr indicated he felt he had worked hard enough “on the 12th and 13th floor” of the Commission's Berlaymont headquarters for one and a half decades as a spokesperson and head of Cabinet, as a campaign manager to Jean-Claude Juncker, and in his current position and now wants "a life."

The College of Commissioners, according to the Commission's chief spokesperson Mina Andreeva, "bid farewell, expressed gratitude and wished well to" Selmayr and two more departing senior officials, former chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas — who is Greece's proposed next commissioner — and Johannes Laitenberger, director general for competition, who will be a judge at the EU's General Court in Luxembourg.

Selmayr will take over as the European Commission's representative in Vienna from Jörg Wojahn, who'll move to Berlin to head the Commission's mission there, according to two EU officials. Current Berlin representative Richard Kühnel, meanwhile, will return to Brussels for a senior role at the Commission's directorate general for communication.

The College also decided about "arrangements ad interim," one official said, to replace Selmayr: As reported by Playbook, his deputy Ilze Juhanzone will take over as acting secretary-general, while it will be for the next College of Commissioners to decide about who to appoint on a permanent basis, the official said. </s> Martin Selmayr was elevated to the body's most senior civil service post in February, assuming a position left vacant by Alexander Italianer in March. He had also previously served European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as his campaign manager during the 2014 European election.

The Secretary-General post was not advertised via a vacancy notice, as rules dictate, and Selmayr was briefly assigned as deputy to render him eligible for the top job and make the process “appear normal”.

“All of this risked jeopardising the hard won record of high EU administrative standards and consequently, the public trust,” EU ombudsman Emily O'Reilly said.

O'Reilly also questioned why other commissioners had not challenged Selmayr’s appointment.

“The College of Commissioners collectively is responsible for the maladministration in this case. It is extraordinary that no Commissioner seemed to question the Secretary-General appointment procedure, which in the end raised valid widespread concerns,” she said.

O'Reilly launched an investigation in May after receiving complaints from French and Dutch MEPs, and at the urging of the European Parliament.

Concluding her report, in which thousands of internal documents were analysed, she recommended the body establish a separate appointment procedure for its Secretary-General, that the position be advertised via an advance vacancy notice, and that external experts be consulted ahead of an appointment.

But Selmayr’s position is not in question, O’Reilly added.

“The Ombudsman understands that not only is he a competent EU official but one highly committed to the European Union,” she said. “He is also someone who has earned and maintained the trust of President Juncker.” </s> The European Commission confirmed Wednesday that Selmayr would not stay on as secretary general when fellow German Ursula von der Leyen takes over as president of the EU's executive in November.

Instead, Selmayr is set to head the EU's mission in Austria, the Commission said.

EU Commissioner for Personnel Günter Oettinger said it was "self evident" that the general secretary "should not have the same nationality" as the president.

Oettinger heaped praise on Selmayr, thanking him for his "effective management" as head of the EU's 32,000-member civil service.

"I think the five years of the Jean-Claude Juncker Commission would not be conceivable in this form without his [Selmayr's] involvement," said Oettinger.

"I think most are thankful to him. And those that are not thankful have respect for him, at least," added Oettinger.

Selmayr had hinted at his departure last week. Wednesday's decision was reached by the EU's College of Commissioners.

Watch video 01:50 Share Von der Leyen voted in Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3MBDA Von der Leyen elected first woman EU Commission president

Rebukes last year

Selmayr, a 48-year-old who studied law in Germany, the United States and Britain, was fast-tracked to become the commission's secretary general in February 2018, earning rebukes from the bloc's ombudswoman Emily O'Reilly and the European Parliament.

Between 2004 and 2010, he served as Commission spokesman on telecommunications and media policy.

Before taking up duties in Vienna on November 1, Selmayr will continue acting as an adviser to Juncker on "important strategic matters," according to the Commission.

Who will succeed Selmayr hinges upon von der Leyen, who takes office as Commission president on November 1.

Latvia's Juhansone acting secretary general

In the interim, the top post will be handled on a temporary basis by Ilze Juhansone of Latvia, the EU bureaucracy's longest-serving deputy general secretary.

In Vienna, Selmayr will replace Jörg Wojahn, who is set to move to Berlin to head the Commission's mission there, Politico magazine reported.

ipj/amp (AFP, dpa)

Every evening, DW sends out a selection of the day's news and features. Sign up here. </s> Brussels broke “the spirit and letter” of EU rules by rushing through the controversial appointment of one of Jean-Claude Juncker’s closest allies to the lead role in the European Commission.

The European Ombudsman, which investigates maladministration, strongly criticised the rapid double-promotion of Martin Selmayr from head of Mr Juncker’s team to secretary-general of the EU's civil service.

Mr Selmayr was promoted to deputy secretary-general of the commission at a February 21 meeting of the EU commissioners. Shortly afterwards, the secretary-general Alexander Italianer announced his retirement.

Mr Juncker, the president of the commission, promptly proposed the divisive Mr Selmayr took on... </s> FILE- In this Wednesday, March 7, 2018 file photo, Secretary-General of the Commission Martin Selmayr waits for the start of a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Union's official transparency watchdog on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 said the EU's executive Commission put public trust at risk by fast-tracking the appointment of Martin Selmayr. Selmayr, Juncker's former head of cabinet, was appointed Commission Secretary-General in February 2018 at a meeting that saw him promoted twice within minutes. less

FILE- In this Wednesday, March 7, 2018 file photo, Secretary-General of the Commission Martin Selmayr waits for the start of a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Union's official transparency ... more

FILE - In this May 3, 2017 file photo, Martin Selmayr, right, attends a meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, center, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Union's official transparency watchdog on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 said the EU's executive Commission put public trust at risk by fast-tracking the appointment of Martin Selmayr. Selmayr, Juncker's former head of cabinet, was appointed Commission Secretary-General in February 2018 at a meeting that saw him promoted twice within minutes. less

FILE - In this May 3, 2017 file photo, Martin Selmayr, right, attends a meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, center, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters ... more

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's official transparency watchdog said Tuesday that the EU's powerful executive Commission put public trust at risk by fast-tracking the appointment of a protege of its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, to a top job.

Martin Selmayr, Juncker's former head of Cabinet, was appointed secretary-general in February at a meeting that saw him promoted twice within minutes.

Even EU commissioners — who are responsible for policy files ranging from the economy to trade, the environment and energy — publicly admitted surprise at the speed with which the nomination was handled. Many weren't aware that the promotion was planned in advance, by Juncker himself.

Accusing the European Commission of "maladministration," European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly said that the way the appointment was handled "risked jeopardizing the hard won record of high EU administrative standards and consequently, the public trust."

"It is extraordinary that no commissioner seemed to question the secretary-general appointment procedure, which in the end raised valid widespread concerns." she said.

O'Reilly didn't say the move was illegal or question Selmayr's suitability for the post.

Selmayr now runs the European Commission — which has around 33,000 employees and whose commissioners are appointed, not elected — and so wields strong influence over the EU's agenda and policy priorities. Juncker, who is of ailing health, stood by Selmayr when news of the appointment procedure became public and vowed to quit himself before he would ever try to force his protege out.

O'Reilly urged the commission to develop a specific and separate appointment procedure for appointing the secretary-general to avoid a repeat in future.

The commission, meanwhile, said it "has a different factual assessment" of parts of the ombudsman's report.

The commissioner responsible for human resources, Guenther Oettinger, said he looked forward to discussing with other EU institutions "how the application of the current rules and procedures can be improved in the future." A meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 25, he said.

The nature of the appointment, exposed by French newspaper Liberation, raised deep concerns because the European Commission is the guardian of the EU's treaties and the arbiter of the bloc's democratic standards yet stands accused of bending its own rules.

For example, the commission has launched a rule of law procedure against Poland for changes made by the new government there that Brussels believes undermine the independence of the courts and justice system. It's locked in a similar battle with Hungary. Both countries say — like the commission in this case — that they are following the letter of the law.

Part of the reason that Britons voted to leave the 28-nation bloc next year was the perception that unelected, unaccountable, well-heeled bureaucrats in Brussels were stitching up backroom deals against the interests of citizens and with the aim of enriching themselves. Regardless of his competence, Selmayr's nomination embodies the concerns of many euroskeptics. </s> The European Union’s most senior official has been sacked and demoted as Ursula von der Leyen, the new European Commission president, tightens her grip on the levers of power in Brussels.

Martin Selmayr, 48, who had a meteoric rise to the top of the EU, has now established a dubious record as the shortest-lived secretary-general in the commission’s 62-year history.

The German official, who was made the EU’s most senior civil servant last year, will be posted to head the EU’s delegation in Vienna in November in what is regarded as a sacking and rapid demotion. His civil service rank and salary of over €220,000 will not be affected.

Mr Selmayr will stay on as a special adviser to Jean-Claude Juncker, the current commission president,… </s> The controversial appointment in February of European Commission secretary general Martin Selmayr involved breaches by the commission of rules that constituted “maladministration”, a report by the European Ombudsman, Ireland’s Emily O’Reilly, has found.

The ombudsman, the EU’s independent watchdog, echoes similar criticism from the European Parliament of the appointment of the bloc’s most senior civil servant at president Jean Claude Juncker’s behest, bypassing normal interview procedures. Mr Selmayr was at the time Mr Juncker’s chef de cabinet.

The ombudsman was also critical of the commission’s press service whose response to “valid concerns” by the press and MEPs had been “defensive, evasive and at times combative”.

The commission had “risked jeopardising the hard-won record of high EU administrative standards and consequently, the public trust”, said Ms O’Reilly.

Responding on Tuesday, chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the commission would prepare a detailed response to the report, some of which it took issue with. Mr Selmayr would not be resigning, he said.

Budget and personnel commissioner Güenther Oettinger said the commission welcomed the finding that the appointment had not been illegal and that the ombudsman did not find fault with the choice of the candidate, who is described as a “competent EU official, highly committed to the European Union”.

Following the parliament’s report, he had already committed to convening a round-table discussion with all the EU institutions to reassess the application of senior appointment rules in all of them.

Mr Selmayr had in the course of one commission meeting been appointed to the post of deputy director general. And then, within minutes, to the secretary-generalship to fill an “urgent” vacancy that none of the commissioners were aware had arisen.

Outgoing secretary general Alexander Italianer had indicated to the commission president on appointment in 2015 that he did not wish to serve beyond March 2018. But according to the commission he had only formally reminded Mr Juncker of his intention on the morning of the meeting.

A master of the inner workings of the Brussels bureaucracy, Mr Selmayr was seen as having engineered his promotions in a way that conformed with the letter of the law but not its spirit. It has caused considerable disquiet in Brussels. Few accept that he did not know what was about to happen when the commission meeting convened.

“The maladministration arose due to the commission not following the relevant rules correctly either in letter or in spirit,” Ms O’Reilly reported. “The commission created an artificial sense of urgency to fill the post of secretary general in order to justify not publishing a vacancy notice.

“It also organised a deputy secretary-general selection procedure, not to fill that role, but rather to make Mr Selmayr secretary general in a rapid two-step appointment.”

Ms O’Reilly’s report will reopen the rows about the appointment but is unlikely to jeopardise Mr Selamyr’s job. His continued role under the next president of the commission, to be appointed next year, might be more precarious, however. </s> BRUSSELS — The European Union’s official transparency watchdog says the European Commission put public trust at risk by fast-tracking the appointment of a protege of its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, to a top job.

Martin Selmayr, Juncker’s former head of Cabinet, was appointed Commission Secretary-General in February at a meeting that saw him promoted twice within minutes.

Accusing the European Commission of “maladministration,” European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly said Tuesday that the move “risked jeopardizing the hard won record of high EU administrative standards and consequently, the public trust.”

Selmayr now runs the European Commission — which has around 33,000 employees and whose commissioners are appointed, not elected — and so wields strong influence over the EU’s agenda and policy priorities.

O’Reilly says it’s “extraordinary” that no commissioner seemed to question the appointment procedure.
Secretary-General of the European Commission Martin Selmayr is appointed as EC representative in Austria from November 1 on.