Juncker’s campaign chief gets new job

The manager of Jean-Claude Juncker’s campaign to become president of the European Commission has accepted a job with a London-based international financial organisation.

The move has raised questions about Juncker’s candidacy.

Martin Selmayr, a senior commission official who took unpaid leave to run Juncker’s election campaign, has been appointed EU director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Commission said yesterday.

Selmayr, a German lawyer who rose rapidly up the commission ranks, was expected to become chief of staff if Juncker’s bid proves successful.

Juncker, a former prime minister of Luxembourg, remains very much in the running for the job, but Selmayr was regarded as a sharp operator and his departure will be seen as a blow.

In comments posted on Twitter, Selmayr sought to play down any such interpretation of his job announcement.

“You really think Juncker needs me to win? Believe in democracy!” he said, adding: “[Juncker] will be next ComPresident, ie: I’ll work for him wherever I’ll be located.”

Selmayr’s new appointment could also be seen as a move to ensure he retains a position in the commission, where a vast number of jobs will soon change.

He has already been appointed an adviser in the commission’s economic and financial affairs department, a role he will take up from July 1. The appointment is effectively a secondment from that post and does not prevent him taking up a job with Juncker if he does get the commission presidency.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has led opposition to Juncker, 59, describing him as a old-style federalist.

While Juncker has been chosen by Europe’s centre- right political group as their candidate, it is up to EU leaders to nominate him. He would then have to approved by a majority in the European Parliament.

EU leaders will meet at a summit on June 26 to 27 to discuss who to nominate, with Cameron determined to rally support to block Juncker’s candidacy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has resolutely supported Juncker’s bid.

If Juncker does not end up being appointed to the Commission it is possible that he will be named as president of the European Council.

— Reuters