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Today's Movers & Shakers are about: the reshuffle in the European Commission in details, the new composition of the Parliament's political groups, the new Vice-Chair of AGRI committee, the new Secretary-General of the European Investment Fund, Brexit and more.
European Parliament:
Composition of the political groups:
Rikke-Louise KARLSSON (DK) defected from the ECR group and now sits as an independent MEP. As she announced on her Facebook page, she had not been voting in line with the group’s positions for a long time. She also mentioned that OLAF is still investigating her political mandate regarding funds for MELD and FELD foundations through the Danish Peoples’ Party, of which she used to be member, something that affected her decision.
David BORELLI (IT) left the EFDD group for health issues and now sits as an independent MEP.
National parties:
Elisabeth MORIN-CHARTIER (EPP) left the Republicans and now sits as an independent MEP.
Composition of the committees and delegations:
Vice-Chairs:
Maria Gabriela ZOANĂ (S&D, RO) was elected as the new fourth Vice-Chair of the committee on agriculture and rural development (AGRI), replacing Viorica DĂNCILĂ (S&D, RO), who is Romania’s new Prime Minister.
Mini plenary session:
The session will take place from 28 February to 1 March. A new Parliament Vice-President will be elected on 1 March, to replace Ryszard CZARNECKI, while MEPs will also discuss the setting up of a new special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance.
Get to know:
Julie WARD (S&D, UK) in 5 questions.
Mrs WARD has been an MEP since 2014. She is member of the committee on culture and education (CULT) and the delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo (D-SEE). She has an interesting story to tell.
European Commission:
Reshuffle:
On Wednesday 21 February, European Commission President Jean-Claude JUNCKER announced a major reshuffle to his cabinet and the Directorates-General.
Secretariat-General:
Following the retirement of Alexander ITALIANER, the College of the Commissioners appointed Martin SELMAYR as the new Secretary-General as of 1 March.
Pia AHRENKILDE-HANSEN, currently Director for Communication for Representations in DG Communication was appointed as principal adviser. She will be acting deputy Secretary-General as of 1 March too.
Two new deputy Secretaries-General will be appointed by April to replace Jean-Eric PAQUET...