Research into promotion of Chief of Staff Juncker

brussels - The European Parliament is investigating the promotion of the Chief of Staff of European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker. Martin Selmayr was appointed secretary-general of the daily EU administration last week, according to critics in a shadowy way.

The 47-year-old Selmayr had applied for the post of deputy secretary-general. But Juncker pushed the German directly to the highest official post, when he announced a week ago that the Dutchman Alexander Italianer leaves that place on March 1 because he is retiring.

Other members of the European Commission were apparently surprised by the appointment, according to MEP Dennis de Jong. He had asked for an investigation together with the green party in parliament. Thanks to the support of, among others, social democrats and conservatives, a majority of the budget control committee agreed to this.

The European Commission says that the rules were followed when Selmayr was appointed.