Subject: Frans Timmermans' lack of political neutrality
One of the most important rules governing all Commission representatives is the principle of political neutrality, the purpose of which is to help prevent conflicts of interests from arising in the performance of an official function. Unfortunately, this principle is not being strictly applied. A clear example is Frans Timmermans, who, as Vice-President of the Commission, ought to be a model for Commissioners and Commission staff. He has, however, violated the principle of political neutrality on a number of occasions, in particular over the last few months, during which he has disregarded the European treaties and put his personal political campaign and ambition above EU law.
There are plenty of examples of ways in which Frans Timmermans has infringed the principle of political neutrality. Particularly shocking was his most recent visit to Poland, during which he took part in the election convention of the ‘Spring’ political party.
1) Given that the Commission is launching proceedings against Member States for violating the rule of law, what action will it take against Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, in connection with his repeated violation of the principle of political neutrality?
2) Given that Vice-President Timmermans is the socialists’ candidate for President of the Commission, should he not take unpaid leave, as Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič did?
3) Was Frans Timmermans’ trip to Poland funded by the Commission?
Answer given by President Juncker on behalf of the European Commission (26 July 2019)
On 1 February 2018, a new Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission entered into forc e (1), explicitly allowing Members to actively participate in the campaign for the European elections, including as lead candidates for the position of President of the Commission, without having to temporarily withdraw from their duties in the Commission. In this regard, a clear distinction is made between a Member’s participation in the campaign and a Member’s institutional duties.
The participation of the First Vice-President in the campaign for the election to the European Parliament (23-26 May 2019) must be seen in this context and is fully in line with the entirety of the applicable legal framework, including Article 10(2) of the Code of Conduct, President Juncker's Communication of 6 February 2019 ‘Elections to the European Parliament 2019 (23-26 May 2019): Guidelines on ethical standards for the participation of the Members of the European Commission in the election campaign ’ (2) and paragraph 4 of the framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission (3).
2. As the Commission noted in its reply to Written Question P-001590/2019, the rules regarding the participation of the Members of the Commission in European elections are different from those concerning their participation in national, regional or local election campaigns. According to Article 9(2) of the Code of Conduct, the Members of the Commission must withdraw from the work of the Commission during their active participation in the latter.
3. The First Vice-President's visit to Poland to which the Honourable Member refers took place on 7 April 2019. It was organised in the context of the campaign and was not an official mission, hence the Commission did not fund the costs of his travel. The same is true as regards the First Vice-President’s visit to Poland on 6 May 2019.
⋅1∙ OJ C 65, 21.2.2018, p. 7.
⋅2∙ C(990) final of 6.2.2019.
⋅3∙ OJ L 45, 17.2.2018, p. 46.