The resignation of EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan might change the entire setup of the European Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen suggested on Thursday in a video statement.
The Irish commissioner decided to quit his position on Wednesday after his participation at a social event broke Irish coronavirus restrictions and caused a political scandal.
IRELAND HAS TO NOMINATE NEW CANDIDATES
According to the European law, the Irish government has to nominate now new candidates for Hogan’s place. Similarly to last year’s selection procedure, von der Leyen expects the Cabinet of Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin to propose a man and woman as well.
In the meantime, Valdis Dombrovkis, the European Commission’s executive vice president in charge of economy, will take care of the trade portfolio.
“At a later stage, I will decide on the final allocation of portfolios in the College of Commissioners,” von der Leyen said in her statement. It implies that she could eventually assign a new task for the Irish commissioner and give the influential trade portfolio to someone else.
The post requires a very experienced politician given that the EU is supposed to conclude an agreement with the UK on the future relationship and to ease tension with the US in the upcoming months.