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The outlook for the European Commission

13 March 2015

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Reported by James Hynard, CSaP Researcher

On Friday 6 March a small group of CSaP associates gathered to discuss how the new European Commission is taking shape. Under the Chatham House Rule, the topic of conversation ranged from the structure of the new Commission to the possible Brexit.

Priorities and focus

A common theme throughout was the focus of the Juncker Commission. President Juncker is determined to deliver on ten policy areas that he has prioritised. This greater degree of focus is designed to deliver impact and efficiency gains. Seven Vice-Presidents work to ensure that the right people are brought together from across different departments for specific projects, in order to create more coherent policies.

Is the Commission anti-science?

Innovation is not among the explicit vice-presidential priority projects and occupies a somewhat unstable position, to some extent due to Commissioners’ lack of familiarity with the relevant issues. This, rather than an anti-science agenda, is partly behind the willingness to cut European Research Council funding. Similarly, the non-continuation of the Chief Scientific Advisor role occupied by Anne Glover was a result of her mandate expiring and her office being institutionally misplaced and under-resourced, as much as her involvement in contentious issues including GMOs and neonicotinoids. The number and diversity of EU member states means that, on some issues such as these, there is no satisfactory average view, and can be difficult to push a strong opinion. This is not to say that the Commission is anti-science: on the contrary, Juncker's recent announcement of a review into independent scientific advice demonstrates his determination to ensure that a robust system of science advice which can resist the political pressures in the EU is implemented.

The future

It may be too early to confidently predict the future of this Commission, but a couple of likely courses of action stand out. As he grows in confidence, Juncker may well attempt to reform the Commission, pushing for turnover of some of the more longstanding personnel and increased transparency and accountability. President Juncker will also undoubtedly fight hard to prevent a Brexit, and is in a relatively strong position to do so. Having campaigned on a platform which included preventing the UK from leaving the EU, Juncker has a mandate for negotiations.

In conclusion, the Commission remains an important supporter of science and research in Europe, and is entering a period of focus which it hopes will help deliver Juncker's top ten priorities.

(Banner image from Charles Clegg via Flickr)