Selection process for a new Managing Director of the IMF and external representation of the Eurozone

1.6.2011

Question for oral answer O-000142/2011
to the Commission
Rule 115
Sylvie Goulard, Sophia in 't Veld, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Olle Schmidt, Wolf Klinz, Carl Haglund, Siiri Oviir, Dirk Sterckx
on behalf of the ALDE Group

The IMF has now opened the selection procedure for selecting a new Managing Director. The nomination period ends on 10 June 2011 and the Executive Board of the IMF should make a decision by 30 June 2011. The selection procedure should be open, merit-based and transparent.

A candidate from an EU Member State has officially applied for the post. Several EU Member States and the President of the European Commission have declared their backing for the candidate, independently of one another. These events have highlighted the fact that there is still no formal nomination procedure within the EU and, more particularly, within the Eurozone, for the joint selection of candidates for posts in international financial institutions. This is another example of disregard for Article 138 TFEU and of a lack of coordination when it comes to external representation of the EMU.

The Eurozone would be stronger in representing its interests at the IMF and other international bodies if it had single representation commensurate with its economic weight. As the ECB has stated, ‘to effectively influence the global debate on policies covering macroeconomic, regulatory and supervisory, as well as governance, aspects, Europe is well advised to reinforce its efforts to speak with a single voice’. Can the Commission therefore explain:

1.   Why it has not made a proposal to the Council for the adoption of a common position on this matter, as foreseen in Article 138 TFEU?

2.   When it will bring forward a proposal for single external representation for the Eurozone to enable it ‘to speak with one voice on issues of particular relevance to economic and monetary union’? Does it agree that a suitable deadline for such a proposal would be no later than the entry into force of the economic governance package?

3.   When it is that the EU has, on its own initiative, taken the ‘necessary action to ensure a timely and effective preparation of common positions and common understandings which can be presented to third parties in international fora’ as recommended in the European Council conclusions adopted on 11 and 12 December 1998?

Tabled: 1.6.2011

Forwarded: 7.6.2011

Deadline for reply: 14.6.2011