The 2004-2009 Barroso Commission is starting to wind down. Brussels has its eye on the European Elections in June, and the selection of a new Commission due to take office from 1st November.
One of the Commissioners for whom I have developed quite some respect since 2004 is Margot Wallström; she has a refreshingly frank approach that has won her some friends outside the Commission (although few inside it by all accounts) and has been determined and diligent in making the most of a near-impossible task – communicating the EU. However Margot has no intention of serving a further term, and even if she wanted to the centre-right Swedish administration would not nominate her (Wallström is a Social Democrat).
So what should the new Communications Commissioner actually do? I assume the portfolio will still exist; as far as I’m concerned it’s still very much needed.
When Neil Kinnock was European Commissioner for administrative reform between 1999 and 2004 he had basically one task for his 5 year term: to sort out the Commission staffing regulations and recruitment procedures. Tedious you may argue, but something that was long overdue and vital. The sole overriding task facing the new Commissioner for Communication is no less pressing: to sort out the European Commission’s websites.
