VdL Faces Pre-Election Backlash Over SME Envoy Pick

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces a backlash from MEPs and European Commissioners from outside her political group over the controversial appointment of German MEP Markus Pieper as the EU's small and medium-sized enterprises envoy. Earlier today MEPs voted in favour of an amendment that called for the annulment of Pieper's nomination.

• Pieper hails from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which sits within the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), the same domestic party and EU political grouping as von der Leyen. This has led to accusations of favouritism in the appointment to the EUR17k/month position, with two other candidates believed to have filled more of the recruitment criteria.
• While the vote does not have and practical impact (the Commission has autonomy in its appointments and hiring), it shows increasing signs of divisions between VdL and the other two moderate political groupings within the Parliament, the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the liberal Renew Europe (RE).
• Von der Leyen is seeking a second term as Commission president after the 6-9 June European Parliament elections, and will rely on the support of MEPs from other grouping to back her in the (likely) event the EPP remains the largest single political grouping.
• Any potential president will likely rely on the backing of the EPP, S&D, and RE post-election, making a major deterioration in relations risky for VdL's re-election chances.