EU SME envoy resigns from office

The EU SME Envoy, Markus Pieper, has resigned on the eve of the start date of his mandate. This was announced by a spokesperson for the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. "The President," says the spokesperson, "respects and regrets the decision" of the German EPP MEP, described as "a proven SME expert", who "prevailed in a multi-stage selection process".

"The autonomy of each EU institution in the appointment of its senior officials must be respected," the spokesperson further reports, indicating that President von der Leyen "has therefore decided to suspend the reopening of the selection procedures for the role of SME envoy until after the European elections."