European Parliament approves new Commission

On Wednesday 22 October, MEPs approved the new college of 27 Commissioners, as presented by its President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker with 423 votes in favour, 209 against and 67 abstentions. The new Commission will now be formally appointed by EU heads of state or government so that it can take up duty on 1 November for a five-year term.

Following criticisms expressed by MEPs and many health stakeholders as part of the hearings, Mr Juncker has decided to leave the pharmaceuticals dossier with the health commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, rather than move it to Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. This means that the dossiers of particular interest to ECHAMP will remain with DG Sanco. It is hoped that this will ensure some continuity by the Commission officials in dealing with the issues affecting our sector.

For ECHAMP’s summary of these developments see also: ECHAMP News Tickers 16 September and 6 October 2014.