politjobs.eu job alert – Countdown to Brexit D-Day

Just weeks ahead of the official Brexit date, emotions are going sky-high again – this time in the UK Parliament, leaving Prime Minister Theresa May with one absurd vote after the other. Rejection of her proposed deal, but no exit without deal either, now a vote for a delay of Brexit, overshadowed by clear words from the European Commission, requesting a good reason to grant such a delay. Utterly unbelievable, but the outcome still remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the European Commission also has issues elsewhere getting on the same page with other political bodies: its newly drawn-up black list of money laundering countries was flat-out rejected by (some of) the Member States. The Council, in a unanimous statement, criticised the lack of transparency in the process of establishing a list of 23 countries. The European Commission had added countries such as Saudi Arabia, Panama, but also the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and Guam – and triggered harsh criticism from the US government, Saudi Arabia and others on the list, of course; whilst apparently catching some strong EU Member States and their trade relations off guard.

Another unsuccessful Commission move is now being quietly buried: the EU Corporate Digital Taxi has been slowly dying since November last year and will be put to the test (and probably to rest) on Tuesday in the Finance Ministers Council. Ireland, Sweden and Denmark remain opposed, and a unanimous decision is necessary. Hopes are now on the OECD and an international solution, whilst some member states have already announced their intention to set national measures.

Another difficult front, more for Member States and the European Parliament than fort he European Commission, is the nomination of a European Public Prosecutor. The European Parliament has nominated former Romanian anti corruption chief Laura Codruta Kövesi as top candidate for the position, possibly more to demonstrate a tough stance against the Romanian government than for other reasons, since Kövesi was just indicted for the second time in Romania (not exactly a country known for its tough position against corruption) on allegations of criminal activities during her term of office. Member States prefer the French candidate, a decision that may not do justice to Kövesi but gets Member States out of the dilemma to judge whether there is anything to the allegations or whether Romania campaigns intelligently against her. A compromise is sought by the end of the month.

No undivided opinions, but at least undivided attention received International Women’s Day on 8 March. Some men, even if they mean well, still don’t get it: real estate agency Engel&Völkers had its all-male board speak about female role models – that’s also a way to make Politico headlines! Less attention was given to the women’s strike – on a Friday afternoon. As your editor is a woman herself, I am allowed to quote another female friend and colleague: only women go on strike on a Friday afternoon (rather than, e.g., a Tuesday morning)!

If you are in for some strategic advice for the next women’s strike, all-male board comments on women in the workforce or how to leave the EU in a somewhat structured way, find some jobs and as usual more on politjobs.eu!

Irina Michalowitz