Frans Timmermans, Premier Vice-president in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights
Personal details:
Franciscus Timmermans, born at Maastricht in 1961, is the Dutch commissioner. He has studied European Law and French Literature at the University of Nancy and he started his career in 1987 as an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, where he followed the diplomats training. He worked as a Deputy Secretary in the Dutch Embassy in Moscow since 1990.
He was a member of staff of the European Commission of Hans van den Broek and he worked for the Secretariat of the High Commissioner for National Minorities of the OSCE. In 1998 he became member of the Labour Party (PvdA; PPE) where he was the spokesperson for foreign affairs. From 2007 to 2010 he was Dutch Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs dealing with European cooperation; then he came back to his party’s activities until 2012, when he became the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He speaks seven languages, including Russian which he learned during his military service as an intelligence officer; in 2014 he coordinate the investigation and repatriation of the victims of Malaysian airlines MH17 disaster in Ukraine.
The Mission
If the European Parliament will approve the Junker’s proposal, Frans Timmermans will became the Premier Vice-president in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The mission entrusted to him by the President Junker, might be resumed in one word : coordination. It has to be ensured between the different European institutions and portfolios, harmonising the work of the Commission, with a particular focus on the issues in his charge, notably the better regulation, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
According to the Junker’s mandate, Timmermans has to provide a coherent direction to the work of the Commission, towards a better regulation within the EU and Member States’ interactions, and especially in order to maximize the Commission’s contribution to the agenda of jobs and growth.
In particular, for initiatives requiring a decision by the Commission in their area of responsibility, he will guide the work of the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality and the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs.
He has also an important role in representing the Commission in other institutional fora, in order to strengthen and deepen the relations between the other EU organs, including the national parliaments.
Among them, he will take part in the General Affairs Council and in negotiations on institutional issues; moreover he will manage and coordinate the participation of the Commission in the Justice and Home Affairs Council. In addition, he is also in charge of the relations with the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, as well as with the European Ombudsman.
Furthermore a more substantive work is addressed to the Premier Vice-president Timmermans. In fact, it will be up to the new commissioner to ensure the compatibility of the proposals of the Union with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, as well as with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
In addition, he will work with the European Parliament and the Council to remove unnecessary texts at European and national levels.
Another important responsibility will be the conclusion of the ratification process of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Finally, on transparency of institutions is under the aegis of this commissioner that will be agreed a proposal for an inter-institutional agreement establishing a register of lobbyists, that will include the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council.
Mrs. Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality
Personal information
Věra Jourová was born the 18th of August 1964 in Třebíč. She studied at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Department of the Theory of Culture; and the Law Faculty of Charles University, Department of Law and Legal Science. In 1991 she worked as Deputy Director of the Civic Cultural Centre in Třebíč and after that she was Secretary of the City Council in Třebíč. From 2000 she worked on human resources, regional development, economic policy and EU fund projects for DHV CR Company.
From 2001 to 2003 she was Head of the Regional Development Section of the Regional Office of the Vysočina Region. Then worked as European Integration Deputy at the Ministry for Regional Development. She entered politics at the regional level in 2003 with the Social Democratic Party.
Since 2006 has worked in consultancy in Euro grants. In 2013 she ran with the Ano movement (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens) and became Deputy in the Czech Parliament. Now she is Minister for Regional Develo.
The mission
If the European Parliament will accept her nomination, the Czech Věra Jourová will become the next Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.
The mission assigned to Mrs. Jourová is extremely complex as encompasses the promotion of human rights, the enforcing of EU justice policies, of consumer policies, data protection and also criminal matters. For this reason she will be assisted by the Driectorate-General for Justice (DG-JUST).
Mr. Juncker reaffirms the importance for EU to respect and promote the rule of law and fundamental values, notwithstanding the diversity of constitutional and cultural traditions among Member States. The future Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality should promote a strong EU justice and consumer policy which would represent the link between the national legal systems. According to the President, this bridge will have a positive impact on the Single Market since it will underpin the economic growth by stimulating the cross-border business.
As Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Jourová will have the responsibility to support the Vice-President in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights in his efforts for the promotion of human rights. The main aims are promoting EU’s accession to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) of the Council of Europe; assuring the Commission proposals respect the Charter of Fundamental Rights; and consolidating the Commission’s role in protecting the Human Rights. With regard to external relations, she will also work with the High-Representative for the Union’s Foreign Policy and Security/Vice-President to promote EU’s common values with the third-countries. Mr. Juncker also expects that the Commissioner for Justice will work for the approval of Horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive proposed by the Commission.
Another area of interest is the one concerning the EU data protection both at European level and in the relations with the US. Adopting an EU data protection reform and more simple rules for online and digital purchases constitute the instruments for the creation of a connected digital single market. This task concerns primarily the Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, hence it is expected from both to cooperate for a better implementation of the new rules. Furthermore, Mrs. Jourová is expected to review the Safe Harbour arrangement and to conclude a data protection agreement with the US, which will protect the rights of European citizens.
Among the responsibilities assigned to the future Czech Commissioner is also that of assessing the performance of judicial systems with regard to the European Semester of economic policy coordination. This activity will be coordinated by Vice-President for Jobs and the Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue.
Last, but not least, area of interest is that of criminal matters. According to Mr. Juncker, the Commissioner for Justice should coordinate all the Commission’s work with regard to criminal matters and reinforce the judicial cooperation in this filed. He also hopes that by 2016 an independent European Public Prosecutor’s Office will be created in order to protect EU budget from fraud.
Mr. Dimitris Avrampopulos , Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs
Personal information
Dimitris Avramopoulos was born in Athens, on June 6, 1953. He graduated in 1978 in Public Law and Political Sciences in Athens’ University, then moved to Brussels where he took a Postgraduate Specialisation on International Organisaion at Boston University. In 1980 he became a member of the Greek Diplomat Service where he covered several important positions, such as Consul of Greece in Liège (1983-1988) and also in Geneva (1992-1993).
In 1992 he covered the position of Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens (MFA). He resigned in 1993 and decided to go into politics with the “New Democracy” Political Party. Therefore he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament (1993-1994). From 1995 to 2002 he was Mayor of Athens. In 2004 he was re-elected MP with “New Democracy” Party, and again in 2007. In 2004 he became Minister of Tourist Development (2004-2006) and then Minister of Health and Social Solidarity (2006-2009). In 2010 he became Vice President of “New Democracy Party” and the following year he became Minister of National Defense, position that he still covers today, with a parenthesis in 2012 when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The mission
If the European Parliament will accept his nomination, Mr. Avrampopulos will become the next Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs.
He will work together with the first Vice-President, in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights and also with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President.
Migration represents a challenge for Europe and poses economic and humanitarian concerns. On one hand there is the need to attract skilled immigrants, because of the ageing of the European population, on the other hand there is the challenge of irregular migration.
The task of the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs is to develop a new European policy on regular migration which would help to attract the type of labour force needed. Within six months the Commissioner should do a first review of the “Blue Card” Directive in order to address the inadequacies occurred till now.
With regard to the second issue, the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs will work with the Member States, which have the task to apply the Common Asylum EU framework, in order to secure Europe’s borders. The European Asylum Support Office should extend its role by working with and in third countries. Cooperation, achieved also by pooling resources from Member States, is necessary for the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism. This will be done through operational measures set by the European Border Guard Teams, without compromising the European commitment to fundamental rights and freedoms. In order to fight crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, cybercrime and corruption it is necessary to strengthen police cooperation.
The Commissioner for Migration will work with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development in order to improve cooperation with third countries. They will also work with the Commissioner for Trade, especially regarding the strategic partnership with Africa which should be strengthened.
The Directorate-General for Home Affairs (DG HOME) will report to Commissioner for Migration.
Mrs. Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility
Personal information
Marianne Leonie Petrus Thyssen was born in Sint-Gillis-Waas, the 24th of July 1956. She graduated in 1979 in Law at the Catholic University of Leuven. She also has a post-graduate teaching qualification in law. From 1980 to 1988 she worked as Legal advisor of UNIZO and MARKANT. Then she became Legal assistant to the private office of the Secretary of State for Health for two years starting from 1986.
In 1988 she became the Head of UNIZO research department, position held until 1991 when she became Member of the European Parliament with the Christian-Democratic and Flemish Party. In 1998 she covered the position of Vice-Chairman of the EPP SME network. From 2004 to 2009 she was the Leader of the Belgian delegation in the EPP-ED Group and Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group. In the period 2001-2008 she was also Member of Communal Council Oud-Heverlee.
In 2009 she became the Leader of the Belgian delegation in the EPP Group. Currently she is Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee of Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament.
The mission
If the European Parliament will accept her nomination, Mrs. Thyssen will become the next Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility.
There are many challenges posed by the ageing of the population and the current economic crisis. The ageing of the population poses the problem of attracting skilled immigration in order to assure the good functioning of the European economies and also social systems. In order to succeed in this intent the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility should work at projects coordinated by the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness. This is the only way to deliver the project for jobs, growth and investment package. The aim is to assure that young generations will have good jobs and contribute in this way to enforce the Youth Guarantee Scheme.
The European Job and Mobility Portal (EURES) should represent one of the most important instrument in promoting free movement of workers and fighting the social dumping. The free movement of workers should be achieved according to the existing rules. This can be reached only if the Commissioner will work close to the national authorities which should assure their correct implementation This work will bel closely linked to the one of the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Entrepreneurship and SMEs who will focus on the recognition of the qualifications, the result should be the improvement of the free movement of workers
Also she should work close to the Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, in order to enforce the European semester which aims at modernizing the labour markets and the social protection systems (plus the Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs).
Two important instruments, in order to develop the skills of the European workforce are lifelong learning and vocational training. This should be done with the cooperation of the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs. The aim should be that to attract high skilled workforce which is needed in Europe.
Responsibility for the DG Estat (statistical office) and DG Empl (Employment, social affairs and inclusion.
Mr. Tibor Navracsics , Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship
Personal information
Tibor Navracsics was born in Veszprém on the 13th of June 1966. He graduated in Law in 1990 from the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of Budapest’s ELTE University and in 1992 he passed his judicial exam, becoming a judge in Veszprém County Council. In 1999 he obtained a PhD in political science. From 1998 till 2002 he was Head of Communication and Information Department, Prime Minister’s Office. In the same period he was also associate professor at ELTE. In 2003 he became Cabinet Chief to the President of the Firesz (Hungarian Civic Union).
In 2006 he was elected Member of the Parliament through the party list for Veszprém County, fraction leader for Fidesz. He became a Member of the Committee for Constitutional, Judicial and Procedural Affairs. In 2010 he became Minister of Public Administration and Justice and now he is Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The mission
If the European Parliament will accept his nomination, the Hungarian Tibor Navracsics will become the next Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship.
The role of the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship is of monumental importance in this difficult moment. The challenges come from different directions, such as economic crisis which has raised unemployment rates in the Member States and has reduced the funds allocated to education. Youth generation is extremely vulnerable and new efforts are needed in order to empower them and allow them to be able to compete globally. This will be possible only if Europe is capable of using the ongoing deep technological transformation and make it a powerful resource for education. Education systems should be adapted to the new social demands in order to allow the creation of new job opportunities and also new forms of political participation. This is another core issue in the mandate of Mr. Navracsics. According to Mr. Juncker the citizens must understand how EU functions and the value of actions taken at this level in order to make them able to use every mean to participate at the life of the Union.
He will cooperate to projects under the coordination of the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, the Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, the Vice-President for the Digital Single Market and the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.
The principal tasks assigned to the future Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship are that of coordinating the efforts with the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness to deliver the jobs, growth and investment package within three months; contributing to European Semester of economic policy coordination with the Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, for the part which concerns the reform of education systems to meet the targets of Europe 2020 strategy; and also promoting cultural diversity and helping Europe’s culture sectors to reach new audiences through the use of Creative Europe programme.
In the field of education, there is the need to promote networking among European universities and give students the possibility to compare and choose universities through the U-Multirank platform and then to study abroad thanks to the promotion of ERASMUS+. Improve links between universities is only one part of a wider project of reinforcing the link between education, business and research. For this reason the future Commissioner for Education will be responsible for taking forward the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, in Budapest, and the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, which should support the work of the Commission. He should work together with the Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs and the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation to ensure coordination between the different programmes funded by EU.
The Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will report to the Commissioner for Education who will also be responsible for the Publications Office (OP).
Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations
Personal details
Johannes Hahn, born in Vienna in 1957, has a Doctorate in philosophy at the University of Vienna, even if he received accusations of plagiarism for his PhD thesis, which he denies.
He started his career in the private sector, taking up managerial roles, including Secretary-general of the Austrian Manager’s Association.
Afterwards, in 1992, he became an active member in the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP; EPP), starting his political career. Since 1996 he was Member of Regional Parliament of Vienna, Member of its Regional government, and Federal Minister for Justice, until 2009, and for Science and Research from 2007 to 2010. Since 2010 he has been a Member in the previous European Commission, under Barroso’s leadership, in charge of Regional Policy.
The Mission
According to the draft project of the Juncker Commission, the portfolio for the European neighbourhood policy and enlargement negotiations, is in charge of Austrian Johannes Hahn, currently Commissioner for Regional Policy (since February 2010).
One among the fundamental priorities of this mission, as Junker affirm in his letter, is the consolidation of the EU’s political and economic ties with its Southern and Eastern neighbourhood.
Juncker also confirmed that there will be no further enlargement during the 2014-2019 legislature; on the contrary the new Commissioner will be engaged in the consolidation of the existing relations. The current negotiations for enlargement (in particular to the region of the Western Balkans) will be pursued under the responsibility of Mr. Johannes Hahn.
Another important goal to be achieved will be the stability on the Europe’s borders; for that reason, Mr. Hahn will have to consolidate and develop the EU neighbourhood policy. In particular, the Union has is to provide assistance to these countries: on one hand, economically, improving their competitiveness and their industrial capacity; as well as maximizing the positive impact of the existing associations agreements with the EU.
On the other, in legal and political terms, defending the Rule of Law, ensuring the proper functioning of the administration and building partnerships with neighbouring countries. Of course, the situation in Ukraine have to receive the utmost attention on the part of the Commissioner since the beginning of the legislature.
As Juncker points out, this position is to be at the crossroads of a wide network of relations, since its representative is supposed to work with several other actors involved, across the national, European and international level.
Indeed, in order to carry out its duties, the Commissioner for Enlargement has to cooperate with the First Vice-President in charge of better regulation, inter-institutional relations, the Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights, Mr Frans Timmermans. The other commissioners are also important working partners, as long as their activities would affect the EU neighbourhood. Notably, Mr. Hahn will have to work in concert with the Directorate General for Enlargement (ELARG) that will be important partner; as well as the High Representative of the Union, coordinating the relations with the countries of the European Economic Area (including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, that aren’t EU members). The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will also be a crucial partner in order to strengthen the EU’s relations with Africa, that will involve the Trade Commissioner and the Commissioner for immigration and home affairs, as well.
Mr. Andrus Ansip , Vice-President for Digital Single Market
Personal information
Andus Ansip was born in Tartu the 1st October 1956. He graduated in Chemistry in 1979 from the University of Tartu. He did a specialisation in Agronomy at the Estonian Academy of Agriculture in 1989 and afterwards the studied Business Management at the New York University in Toronto. He worked for a while in the chemical labs of his former University as a Senior Engineer but he was attracted by the trade and banking sector. Therefore he became a member of the Board of Directors of the People’s Bank of Tartu. He then was the Head of Tartu Department of the Estonian Social Bank, and also of the North Estonian Bank. He was also one of the founders of Radio Tartu. Mr. Ansip was also CEO of Investment Fund Broker Ltd.
In parallel he was also involved in politics. From 1986 to 1988 he was a member of the Estonian Communist Party in Tartu District Committee. He covered the position of Instructor of Industry Department, Head of Organisational Department. Then he became a member of the Estonian Reform Party. From 1998 to 2004 he was Mayor of Tartu, in 2004 he became the Chairman of the Estonian Reform Party and held the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. In 2005 he became Prime Minister, position held till March 2014.
The mission
If the European Parliament accept his nomination, the Estonian Andrus Ansip will become the next Vice-President for Digital Single Market.
In the Mission Letter Mr. Juncker is assigning him the ambitious task to “make Europe a world leader in information and communication technology”.
He is supposed to coordinate the work of the Commissioners for Digital Economy and Society; Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs; Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility; Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality; Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs; Regional Policy; and Agriculture and Rural Development.
The main goal of the future Commissioner is to create a connected Digital Single Market which will have a positive impact on growth and will generate new jobs. The consequence will be a plethora of benefits for consumers, whom will have the same protection online as they have offline, and for the European companies involved in this sector, thanks to more clear rules on competition and to the fight against cybercrime. An additional benefit will be a more integrated and coordinated approach among the several administrations of the Member States.
This important goal requires many legislative efforts such as reforming the telecoms rules, modernizing copyright rules, modernizing and simplifying consumer rules for online and digital purchases. What is asked to Mr. Ansip is to set a clear long term strategy for the Digital Single Market and this stars from knowing which are the barriers remained and how to work for dismantling them. The President also mentions the necessity to conclude negotiations for the reform of Europe’s data protection rules and the need to review the Safe Harbour arrangement with the US. All these tasks should be carried out within six months from the start of his mandate.
In the short term other tasks were assigned to the future Commissioner for Digital Single Market. Within three months he should support the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness in the project to deliver the jobs, growth and investment package. This initiative should stimulate public and private investment in infrastructures in general, and in broadband network in particular.
An important point on the agenda is also that of promotion and development of European creative industries which should be able to reach a wider audience, with consequent benefits for Europe’s culture and audiovisual sectors.
A further task is to improve the efficiency of public administration through the use of digital and eGovernment approaches, in all the Member States and in the Commission in cooperation with the Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources. If there is a continuous dialogue among the administrations, it is easier to exchange information and work together in order to ameliorate the functioning of the EU in general.
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management
Personal details:
Christos Stylianides (born in Lefkosia, in 1958), is the Cypriot commissioner. He was a dental surgeon by training, but he has also a background in international and European affairs, as he took a post-doctoral degrees in political science, international relations and European studies. In 1998-99 he was a spokesperson of the centre-right Cypriot government led by Glafkos Klerides, but resigned in protest at the perceived corruption. Afterwards, from 2006 to 2014, he has been a member of the Cypriot parliament, as a deputy chairman of the committee on foreign and European affairs.
In recent years he has been a close ally of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, who appointed him as the spokesman of the centre-right government, and worked for the Democratic Rally Party (DISY MEPs; EPP).
He was elected to the European Parliament in the 2014 elections as a member of the European Popular Party (EPP). He was appointed to the committee on Budgets and to the Delegation for Relations with the United States, as a permanent MEP; meanwhile, he has been Substitute Member in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, in the delegation for relations with Israel and the delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. He is known as a pro-European figure, also due to the role he took in the negotiations that led to Cyprus joining the EU.
The mission
The new European Commissioner in charge of the Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management will be Christos Stylianides.
He will play a crucial role as long as the European Union is the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the world. Mr. Junker intend to maintain this position: the EU should continue to provide humanitarian assistance, in particular focusing its attention on the most vulnerable and people affected. Quickness and efficiency will be the key elements for an effective humanitarian aid.
Moreover, in order to maximize the impact of the humanitarian action, the European Commissioner Stylianides will work closely with the Vice-president for the Budget and Human Resources. Therefore the EU will respect its humanitarian commitments ensuring a performance-based management of the budget.
For sure, the new Commissioner for the humanitarian aid and crisis management will promote the cooperation with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy as well as with many other actors, such as the Commissioner for the international cooperation and development, the Member States, the United Nations, the NGOs and the civil society.
He will also strengthen the civil protection’s mechanism of the EU to face up to natural and human disasters, not only in Europe, and he will work to improve its efficiency.
According to Mr. Junker’s mandate, the new commissioner should also build up the capacity of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), so that it will become the hub for the Commission’s crisis response system.
Thus, the Centre will reply permanently to any Member State’s demand for assistance in the case of a terrorist attack or a natural or human disaster, according to the solidarity clause (Article 222 of the TFEU). On this purpose, the new commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management has to act in concert with the other commissioners who share these responsibilities, in particular the one who will be in charge of Health and Food Safety, the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs and the Commissioner for Regional Policy.
In order to achieve these mission, the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO) will report to the commissioner.
Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
Personal details:
Günther Oettinger (born in Sttutgart, in 1953), is one of the Comisioners who will probably stay for the next Commission. Before being assigned to Digital Economy and Society, he was the commissioner in charge of Industry from 2010 to 2014. Before becoming a member of the European Commission, he was both working in the private sector and doing politics for the Baden- Württemberg lander.
He begin working into politic from 1982 becoming a leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany. Afterwards he was a member of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg from 1984 to 2010, but also chairman of CDU Baden-Württemberg parliamentary group in the State Parliament from January 1991 to April 2005.
From 1982 to 2005 he was employed by a firm of auditors and tax consultancy as an employee, then as a lawyer. From 1988 to 2005 he became the CEO of this firm. He has a background in law and economy, because of his studies in Tübingen.
The mission
In the mission letter Junker set up the goal for which Günther Oettinger is responsible concerning Digital Economy and Society. As the different changes in the workflow in the Commission, the Digital Economy and Society portefeuille has been deeply reformed.
Junker assigned Oettinger to contribute to projects steered and coordinated by the Vice-President for the Digital Single Market and the Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness. Most of the concerns focus on break down national silos in telecoms regulation, in copyright and data protection legislation, in the management of radio waves and the application of competition law. Concretly Oettinger should work for setting up clear long-term strategic goals to foster investment and innovative business putting the users at the center. Therefore Oettinger is in charge to support cultural and creative industries.
Oettinger will work in the following issues:
Oettinger is in charge to support the deployment of a high-quality, digital network infrastructure, underpinning all sectors of the economy across borders, progressively on a continental scale. In addition Oettinger tasks will focus on fostering online trust and confidence by developing and implementing measures as the ambitious Data Protection Regulation which should be adopted by 2015.
Finally Oettinger activities must focus on participating on Internet Governance dabate supporting the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom and pluralism of the media, the openness of the internet and cultural and linguistic diversity.
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