Ursula von der Leyen proposes Mairead McGuinness for new Irish Commissioner

EC President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Tuesday to the Council and the European Parliament the appointment of Mairead McGuinness for post of Commissioner in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union.

The previous day she interviewed the two candidates McGuinness and Mr Andrew McDowell put forward by the Irish government for the post of Commissioner. The reshuffle is due to resignation of Phil Hogan, Irish Commissioner who was in charge of trade.

The head of the Commission commented that McGuinness has significant political experience on EU issues, having been an MEP since 2004 and currently holding the post of first Vice-President of the European Parliament. “This experience is crucial in carrying forward the EU’s financial sector policy agenda and ensuring it supports and strengthens the Commission’s key priorities, notably the twin green and digital transition”, she also said.

Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis will assume responsibility for the trade portfolio, and he will remain the Commission’s representative on the Eurogroup, alongside with Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni.

The European Parliament will announce when the hearings of the the new commissioners-designate will be held.