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Martin Selmayr: controversial Juncker aide promoted to run whole European Commission

Aide was accused of leaking Brexit documents but denied it

Brussels

Wednesday 21 February 2018 15:41 GMT

Martin Selmayr (right) stands off camera as Jean-Claude Juncker speaks to journalists (AFP/Getty Images)

One of Brussels’ most controversial EU officials received an unexpected promotion on Wednesday, putting him in charge of the entire EU civil service.

Martin Selmayr, who has made a name for himself as chief of cabinet to president Jean-Claude Juncker since 2014, was confirmed as the new European Commission Director General at a meeting of the college of commissioners on Wednesday morning.

Sometimes affectionately nicknamed “the Monster” by colleagues because of his fearsome reputation, Mr Selmayr replaces Alexander Italianer, who had announced he would be stepping down after three years in the job.

“We needed to have as secretary general somebody who really knows how the EU works and has connections in Europe and beyond,” Mr Juncker said “As a result there will be no political break.”

“The next 20 months will be decisive in fully delivering on a Europe that protects, empowers and defends. I need the best team in place. This is why I want Martin Selmayr as the new Secretary-General to steer the talented and hard-working administration of our institution.”

Mr Selmayr, a German lawyer by training, has been described by British newspaper as the “Raspuin of Brussels” because of his reputation as the power behind the Junker throne.

He most recently came to prominence in the UK after he was widely accused of leaking the details of talks between Mr Juncker and Theresa May to a German newspaper at a crucial time.

When the same newspaper obtained similar leaks for a second time running Mr Selmayr denied being the source of the accounts, and said the leaks were an attempt to “frame” the EU side and “undermine talks”.

The new director general divides opinion in Brussels, where some see him as reinforcing German domination of the EU institutions. Marking the appointment, German European Commissioner Günther Oettinger denied this version of events, stating that “some in Berlin don’t see him as a representative of German interests”.

His appointment drew a critical response from some MEPs. Syed Kamall , Co-chairman of the Tories' European Conservatives and Reformists Group, said: "How does the Commission expect people to believe that the EU is capable of change and listening to the voters when the process for appointing to top positions is so opaque.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

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1/8The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Post-Brexit immigration

workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns.

PA

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Customs union

A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that “Brexit means Brexit” and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UK’s economic outlook become clearer.

Alamy

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Northern Ireland-Irish border

Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Party’s coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a “specific solution” would need to be found.

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The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Transition period

Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs.

EPA

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Rights of EU citizens living the UK

The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later.

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The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Future trade agreement (with the EU)

Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union.

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The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Future trade agreements (internationally)

The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period.

EPA

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU

Financial services

Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period.

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"The Commission should be looking at ways to make Brussels more transparent and democratic, yet this appointment resembles nothing more than jobs for the boys.

"Perhaps the most worrying thing is that the Commission doesn't seem to even realise why this is a problem."

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