At the beginning of her mandate, the President of the Commission pledged to create an executive role within the Commission for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In May 2021, the Commission finally announced Vazil Hudák’s nomination as the new SME Envoy. It was soon revealed that Mr Hudák had also taken up the position of special advisor to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. MEPs were concerned over rumours that he was only to be hired part-time and that he wouldn’t earn a salary.

We need the new SME Envoy to be at the forefront of this initiative in order to effectively reduce the administrative burden for SMEs, allow them to make their voices heard at the Commission throughout the legislative cycle, and make this a meaningful exercise. This initiative could lead to concrete results in improving the entrepreneurial environment for SMEs, in cooperation with the national and local organisations representing them. We need clarity on the Commission’s intentions.

1. When will the Commission actually appoint the new SME Envoy?

2. Is it prepared to make this position a full-time job and to pay a salary?

3. How will it ensure that the SME Envoy has horizontal competencies in all relevant Directorates-General and that he plays a meaningful role in the Commission’s legislative process?