Monthly payments to Joaquin Almunia following his appointment as Chairman of the Centre for European Policy Studies

5.12.2016

Question for written answer P-009205-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)

The former Vice-President of the Commission Joaquín Almunia has been appointed the new Chairman of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). This appointment coincides with information published a few weeks ago according to which Almunia is one of the former Commissioners who are currently still receiving monthly payments from the Commission, even though several of them, like Almunia, have now found other posts.

This week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to revise its code of conduct so as to tighten up the rules governing incompatibilities and guarantee increased transparency with regard to Commissioners’ financial situation. The Commission President has publicly acknowledged the need to strengthen the Commission’s code of ethics following the recent cases involving that institution, such as the case of former president José Manuel Durão Barroso following his appointment to the Goldman Sachs Group.

1. Has Mr Almunia received any transitional payments from the Commission since taking up his new duties at CEPS?

2. If so, how much money has he received?

3. Does the Commission believe that this type of conduct should be prevented, and that it should be reviewed by the Commission’s Ethics Committee?