About: Günther Oettinger
French anger at CAP co-financing proposal
The European Commission’s suggestion that EU member states co-finance part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the biggest consumer of the bloc’s budget, has met with steady support in Germany and exasperation in France. EURACTIV France reports.
New lead MEP could shift talks on contentious copyright bill
More rifts have opened up in the European Parliament's negotiations over a contentious copyright law overhaul after a new MEP stepped in to lead on talks.
Gabriel confirmed as new EU digital chief
Mariya Gabriel was confirmed Tuesday (4 July) as the next EU digital Commissioner and will become the youngest person ever to take on a top Commission post.
EU telecoms watchdog: ‘We are independent and we bother powerful people’
Sébastien Soriano spoke to EURACTIV about what Yoda can teach us about EU telecoms law, accusations that he is lobbying to change draft rules, net neutrality and the likely new Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.
Gabriel breezes through cozy hearing on way to top EU digital job
Mariya Gabriel, the 38-year-old Bulgarian MEP tipped to become the new EU digital chief, told MEPs during her approval hearing that she wants to “comply” with the European Commission's policy priorities.
EU uproar growing following UK vote
From Council President Donald Tusk to European Parliament political group leaders, uproar is growing following disastrous results for UK Prime Minister Theresa May in a general election she herself triggered.
Germany to propose cutting funds to EU members that violate rule of law
European Union members that fail to meet EU standards on the rule of law could lose access to its financing under German proposals for the reform of the cohesion fund system seen by Reuters yesterday (30 May).
‘Brexit’ and ‘future of Europe’ muddle EU’s budget decision-making
Günther Oettinger today (30 May) presented the draft EU budget for 2018, acknowledging decision-making difficulties. He said the next long-term budget should be tabled by next summer, to take into account the Brexit context and the decisions on the future of the Union.
Tech industry relieved there will be new digital Commissioner after lengthy gap
The tech industry is relieved that Bulgaria's nominee for Commissioner will oversee digital policies, filling a gap left open for four months after Günther Oettinger transferred to the budget post.
Bulgaria finally nominates new Commissioner
Bulgaria has finally nominated a candidate to replace Kristalina Georgieva as its European Commissioner, following a four month gap where the country went unrepresented.
Commission appoints seven new Special Advisers
The Commission published today (4 April) an updated list of its Special Advisers, which have been appointed from 1 April 2017 until 31 March 2018, featuring seven new names.
Oettinger: €60 billion Brexit bill ‘not totally wrong’
EXCLUSIVE / EU Budget Commissioner Günter Oettinger has told EURACTIV.com that the €60 billion bill floated as the price of Brexit is "not totally wrong", just days before Britain triggers Article 50, the legal process to leave the bloc.
Brussels, where are all the women experts?
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, women are still noticeably lacking from expert panels. One project, The Brussels Binder, seeks to level the playing field, writes Virginia Marantidou.
Oettinger warns Germany will have to pay more after Brexit
Germany and other net contributors to the EU budget will have to pay out more once the United Kingdom leaves the bloc, European Commissioner Günther Oettinger said in comments published yesterday (27 February).
Top telecoms regulator takes aim at Commission plan for cybersecurity labels
The top EU telecoms regulator criticised the European Commission's plans to introduce this spring a labelling scheme to rank the cybersecurity of internet-connected devices, arguing it would only reinforce big tech companies' dominance.
Vestager tipped for Commission vice-presidency
Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager should take over Kristalina Georgieva's Commission vice-presidency , as a result of the new alliance between the European People’s Party and liberal ALDE groups, sources told EURACTIV France.
Reda: ‘EU copyright reform would benefit fake news sites’
Günther Oettinger is leading the EU’s copyright reform efforts. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, MEP Julia Reda warned this would threaten the freedom of online news publications and benefit false news outlets at the expense of journalists and small publishers.
The Brief: Spy behind Trump scandal probed Georgieva
Brussels is one of the spy capitals of the world. That bloke you saw in Schuman holding the Financial Times, wearing a trilby with a rose in his buttonhole? He is probably a dandified eurocrat but he could also be a spy.
Ansip: No guarantee Bulgaria will get the digital economy portfolio
Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip said today (10 January) he has only temporarily taken the digital economy portfolio from Günther Oettinger, but that there was no guarantee that this portfolio would go to the future Bulgarian commissioner, who is yet to be nominated.
Oettinger grilled by MEPs on budget, dodges questions on lobbyist meeting
Günther Oettinger dodged an evening of tough questions yesterday (9 January) about a string of his recent slip-ups when three European Parliament committees sounded out the gaffe-prone Commissioner for his new job as EU budget and human resources chief.
Oettinger to be quizzed on his plan to put women in leadership positions
One of the issues Günther Oettinger is expected to be quizzed on in the European Parliament today (9 January) is his plan to achieve gender balance in the European Commission, as progress achieved under his predecessor Kristalina Georgieva looks limited.
Commission notes cast doubt over approval of Russian-backed nuclear project
EXCLUSIVE/ The European Commission was prepared to spoon-feed arguments to Hungary to close an investigation into the controversial €12 billion Paks II nuclear plant project, according to documents obtained by EURACTIV.com
Germany’s Commissioner apologises to MEPs for ‘racist’ speech
Günther Oettinger, Germany’s EU Commissioner, has apologised to members of the European Parliament for calling the Chinese “slitty-eyed” and for mocking gay marriage and women during a speech in Hamburg.
The Brief: Our Yes Man in Brussels?
Have the British replaced their man in Brussels with a Yes Man in Brussels?