Dozens of MEPs have signed an open letter to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker calling for action against José Manuel Barroso over his appointment to Goldman Sachs. 

The open lettern was initiated and authored by Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

Thirty-six MEPs, including from the EPP, ALDE, Socialists, Greens, EFDD and GUE/NGL parliamentary groups, co-signed the letter.

Commissioners are bound to act with ‘integrity and discretion’ when accepting post-term appointments, waiting a minimum of 18 months before accepting any role that could be deemed potentially lobbying in nature. 

MEP Carthy commenting on the letter said, “I’m pleased to see that the anger over the appointment of former Commission president José Manuel Barroso as an advisor and non-executive chairperson of Goldman Sachs International extends right across the political spectrum in the European Parliament. This appointment is simply unacceptable.”

“Mr Barroso was President of the European Commission for a decade, from 2004 to 2014. He led the EU during the period of the global financial crisis. Now, after serving the bare minimum of the 18-month cooling-off period, he has stepped into a plum role in one of the institutions that contributed to this crisis.” He added.
 

Source: www.businessworld.ie