'Appointment EU senior official looked like coup'

brussels - The controversial appointment of Martin Selmayr as the highest official of the European Commission resembled 'a coup' but did not have to be reversed. This is evident from a motion for a European Parliament resolution that examines the 'flash promotion' that committee chairman Jean-Claude Juncker arranged for his current ex-chief of staff on 1 March.

In the resolution, the parliament states that the procedure followed may have 'extended the boundaries of the law. 'According to EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger (personnel policy), the appointment of Selmayr as secretary-general proceeded entirely according to the rules, he said at a hearing in parliament on Tuesday. According to critics, the issue smacks of favoritism and harms the reputation of the EU.

The German succeeds the Dutchman Alexander Italianer who unexpectedly announced in February that he would retire on 1 March. Juncker then arranged the appointment of Selmayr in a few minutes. On Friday, Juncker said he would not ask Selmayr to resign.