Ursula Von der Leyen Still Faces ‘Big Questions’ About Dicey Hire

Ursula von der Leyen is still facing “significant questions” over her appointment of a close political ally to a lucrative European Commission post, despite a U-turn on the appointment.

The German politician nominated Markus Pieper, a colleague from her Christian Democratic Party, to the position of Small Business Envoy.

The post comes with an eye-watering remuneration package of €20,000-a-month, and Mr Pieper was expected to start his new job next week on Tuesday.

MEPs in the European Parliament, however, reacted with fury to the appointment, accusing Ms von der Leyen of political cronyism.

They voted overwhelmingly 382 to 144 to overturn the appointment on Thursday.

Slovakian Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič tried to calm the waters, insisting that rules and procedures had been followed in the Pieper case.

Despite his best efforts, significant questions still remain over the appointment, formally made on 31 January.

During the recruitment process, Mr Pieper was allegedly outperformed by multiple other candidates.

At least one of them – Czech MEP Martina Dlabajová – has lodged a complaint with the Commission’s Human Resource service.

A Commission spokesperson, though, has said that performing well in the early stages of testing doesn’t guarantee the job.

Some of Ms von der Leyen’s senior lieutenants have been left dismayed by her decision to appoint Mr Pieper.

France’s Thierry Breton and Spain’s Josep Borrell reportedly complained of a lack of transparency and collective decision-making at the top of the EU executive at a meeting of Commissioners on Wednesday.