Dennis De Jong, MEP and co-President of the European Parliament intergroup on Integrity, Transparency, Corruption and Organised crime (ITCO), has called for an investigation into Martin Selmayr’s appointment of Secretary-General of the European Commission.
Selmayr, who until recently served as head of cabinet to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, applied for the role of Deputy Secretary-General but instead was bumped up after the surprise retirement of the previous post holder.
“I request a full European Parliament investigation on the appointment of Martin Selmayr. His promotion must be suspended until we have full clarity following an investigation,” De Jong said.
De Jong, who is a member of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), criticised Juncker’s Commission. He said it looks like an arrogant “old boys network”.
“Both the rushed appointment of Martin Selmayr and the ‘friendly drinks’ Commissioner Katainen had with former Commission President Barroso, who now works for Goldman Sachs, show a lack of integrity and contempt for European citizens.”
As reported by in a press release issued by GUE/NGL, the Dutch MEP concluded with a warning: “This whole situation reminds me of the 1999 mass resignation of the Santer Commission because of integrity scandals. Unless the Commission immediately changes its arrogant attitude and gives the European Parliament all the necessary information, it may well suffer a similar fate.”
