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Women fly highest among outgoing commissioners [de] [fr]
Margot Wallström (Sweden) and Meglena Kuneva (Bulgaria) are among the few outgoing commissioners to have secured new jobs, as most of those leaving the EU executive have either decided to retire from politics or pursue lower-profile activities.
Background
Thirteen out of the 27 commissioners in the Barroso I team were offered another five-year term in the next EU executive, with three of them having already been members of the 2004-2009 Commission.
It is relatively common for commissioners to leave their positions during or at the end of their mandates in order to take national office, usually in government. High-profile 'defectors' in 2008 included Peter Mandelson (EurActiv 06/10/08) and Franco Frattini (EurActiv 10/03/08).
Outgoing commissioners have traditionally opted for retirement or a return to national politics.
Wallström, who was in charge of institutional relations and communications in the 2004-2009 Barroso Commission, has been appointed UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Sources close to Wallström told EurActiv that the new post is a logical progression for the Swede, who has been the spokesperson for numerous equality and women's rights campaigns in recent years.
The centre-left politician has been an outspoken proponent of these issues during her two-term mandate at the European Commission, notably supporting the introduction of gender quotas in politics (EurActiv 14/10/09).
Wallström had intended to retire from public life following a long career in politics which began when she was first elected MP aged 24, but found the new job offer "irresistible" according to the source.
Describing herself as "humbled" and "honoured" following UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's decision, Wallström is now preparing herself for the New York-based position.
Barroso gets his wish: Kuneva stays
Meanwhile, outgoing Bulgarian Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, known to be a favourite of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, will be appointed head of the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA), the EU executive's in-house think-tank.
Despite being widely regarded as successful in handling her consumer affairs portfolio, Kuneva was never likely to be reappointed following the massive electoral success of new Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov in the 2009 national and European elections (EurActiv 07/07/09).
Borissov hails from a different political party to Kuneva and said from the start that she had no chance. Now, however, it appears Barroso will shuttle Kuneva in through the back door, ensuring she stays by his side in the Berlaymont building.
It is believed that Barroso wishes to make BEPA a more political animal, and installing Kuneva as chief would not only give the think-tank increased prominence and executive leadership – it currently has no acting boss – but would also allow Barroso to exert increased control over emerging policy prescriptions.
And the rest…
Günter Verheugen (German; Socialist) – Enterprise and Industry
It was confirmed at the end of January that Verheugen will take up an honorary part-time professorship at Viadrina Europa University in Frankfurt, starting in the autumn term of 2010.
Jacques Barrot (French; EPP) – Justice, Freedom and Security
Barrot's handlers were tight-lipped about his intentions, but according to EurActiv France, there is widespread speculation in the French media that he will be appointed to the French Constitutional Council, the supreme constitutional authority in France.
László Kovács (Hungarian; Socialist) – Taxation and Customs Union
Kovács intends to return to national politics in Hungary, and is expected to run in the 2010 parliamentary elections.
Joe Borg (Maltese; EPP) – Fisheries
According to his assistants, Borg does not intend to pursue a political or public career.
Leonard Orban (Romanian; unaffiliated) – Multilingualism
According to EurActiv Romania, Orban wants to return to his home country to improve relations between Bucharest and Brussels and help the process of European integration as best he can. This may be in an academic capacity, according to Orban himself.
Mariann Fischer Boel (Danish; ALDE) – Agriculture
Fischer Boel informally told EurActiv during a November 2009 interview that she intends to retire from public life, return to the Danish countryside and spend more time with her grandchildren.
Charlie McCreevy (Irish; ALDE) – Internal Market and Services
McCreevy will retire from public life, and while he has not announced any definite plans, expectations abound in the Irish media that he may take up positions on the boards of various Irish companies.
Stavros Dimas (Greek; EPP) – Environment
According to his head of cabinet, Dimas has no plans at present beyond "doing some lectures".
Benita Ferrero-Waldner (Austrian; EPP) – Trade
Having failed in her bid to become head of UNESCO, a position that went to Bulgarian Irina Bokova (EurActiv 24/09/09), it is not currently clear what Ferrero-Waldner's post-Commission plans are.
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