GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer has called for an open and transparent selection process for the top jobs in EU institutions, following moves by large political families to stich up the appointments for themselves just two days after the elections.

“Backroom deals on the next heads of the Commission, Parliament and the successor to Catherine Ashton as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security are unacceptable. I demand a transparent process about top jobs and discussions about political alternatives with all democratic political groups involved and consulted,” she said.

“Any candidate for these positions that continues to support bodies such as the Troika with its disastrous austerity will not receive our support. Europe needs leaders who will reject this approach and its resulting inequality. Similarly, we will require firm commitments on opposition to TTIP and the threat it poses to our hard-won standards. Let us have an inclusive debate on the major issues before choosing who should fill these jobs – the days of secretive arrangements should be long gone!”

GUE/NGL Press:

David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08