Revolving doors

30.9.2016

Question for written answer E-007465-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Lynn Boylan (GUE/NGL)

It was announced this week that Connie Hedegaards, formerly EU Commissioner responsible for climate matters, has taken up an advisory appointment to Volkswagen, the car manufacturer at the centre of the recent emissions scandal over its use of illegal cheat devices.

This comes after the recent revelation that former Commission President José Manuel Barroso has accepted a role as chairman of Goldman Sachs International, just two months after the end of his 18 month cooling-off limit, which has led to a protest petition which, at the time of writing, has over 150 000 signatories.

Does the Commission not believe that these revelations are incredibly damaging to its reputation, covered as they are by the international media?

Does the Commission not believe that it would be appropriate to extend the cooling-off period to at least 3 years, and if not, why not?