The selection of Pieper as the European Commission’s SME envoy has raised concerns about fairness and transparency, with some questioning whether political biases influenced the decision. This is particularly true given that four of the commissioners involved in the selection process are known rivals of von der Leyen’s European People’s Party, creating tension ahead of the upcoming European election in June.
Breton and Schmit have managed to avoid public criticism of their boss von der Leyen, but Breton has already made public remarks against her. The political rivalry between these commissioners reflects the broader political landscape of the European Union, which is marked by intense partisanship and ideological divisions.
It is worth noting that other candidates, including two women, scored better than Pieper during the selection process for this post. Czech Renew lawmaker Martina Dlabajová, one of those who scored higher than Pieper, confirmed that she lodged a complaint to the Commission regarding the procedure. A group of lawmakers from various political parties have also expressed concerns and submitted questions to the Commission seeking clarification about why Pieper was chosen over candidates who scored higher.
The involvement of political rivalries within this selection process has raised questions about fairness and transparency within the European Commission. It highlights how complex it can be to ensure an impartial and transparent decision-making process for key positions within the EU, particularly when there are strong ideological differences and partisan interests at play.
Overall, it is clear that there are significant challenges involved in ensuring fairness and transparency in key positions within the EU’s governing institutions. As such, it will be important to continue scrutinizing these processes carefully and working towards greater accountability and transparency in order to build trust with citizens across Europe.
