European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy

The Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy is the member of the European Commission. The current commissioner is Margot Wallström (PES).

The portfolio is responsible for relations between the Commission and other institutions (European and national) as well as the Commission's external representation towards the Union's citizens.

Current commissioner

Commissioner Wallström was approved by the European Parliament in 2004 and was made the First-Vice-President of the European Commission by President Barroso. In previous commissions the post had generally simply been based around relations with the European Parliament, the post was expanded to cover citizens and national parliaments amid concerns over the lack of interest in the Union (leading to low turnout), misunderstandings on the role of the Union and the perceived democratic deficit. Her head of cabinet is Christian Leffler, her deputy head is Patrick Costello and her spokesperson is Joe Hennon.

Burson-Marsteller noted that the "intelligent, photogenic, young, able, and Scandinavian woman" was well placed in the Commission being an experienced Commissioner, in charge of communication and the senior vice president (representing the Commission a great deal) - becoming the "de facto public face of Europe". Likely to be a star even though the task is difficult, it could have an effect on her domestic career chances. [ [http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php The New Commission - some initial thoughts] Burson-Marsteller]

She has been particularly notable in her attempts to better communicate with the citizens with such projects as her "Plan D" (following the rejection of the European Constitution) [ [http://www.euractiv.com/en/opinion/wallstrom-plan-revive-european-dream/article-144593 Will Wallström's 'plan D' revive the European dream?] euractiv.com 12/09/05] , an open forum called "Debate Europe", a channel on youtube [ [http://euobserver.com/9/24363 Brussels hits YouTube] euobserver.com 26 June 2007] and being the first Commissioner to start a blog. Wallström has stated that it is one of the world's toughest PR jobs;

:"It is a challenge because you are trying to explain a body that deals with everything from the content of sausages to the peace process in the Middle East ... It is also based on compromise, not conflict, and it is more about cooperation than drama." [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2634728320070426?feedType=RSS EU to Americans: We're not just about sausages] reuters.com 26/04/07] "My new portfolio is a much more difficult task, to change people’s minds about the EU. This difficulty is something everyone points out to me. Some have called it mission impossible, I call it mission irresistible. In my masochist way I enjoy doing it." [ [http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/Interviews/200510/33b9c108-348e-4ced-9ace-339a0e791433.htm Margot Wallström] theparliament.com 17/10/05]

Wallström has rejected a market-based communication policy stating that "This is different from advertising or selling socks." She has also protested that there are not enough funds (€86.5 million) to conduct her job properly and highlighted the problem in some member-states that information offices and education can be limited. [ [http://euobserver.com/9/24016 Brussels struggles with communication policy] euobserver.com 09/05/07]

Plans released in June 2007 are designed to enhance the foundations of EU political parties. Wallström said she wanted a "proper European debate" rather than the discussion being dominated by the Union's political elite. Under her new plans, European political parties would be allowed to campaign nationally, rather than European elections being fought on national issues, and give greater ability for them to run with candidates for Commission President. [ [http://euobserver.com/9/24370 European politics to get more political] , EU Observer, Accessed June 27, 2007.] [ [http://euobserver.com/9/24148 EU in drive to make Brussels more political] euobserver.com 29/05/2007]

List of commissioners

ee also

External links

* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/index_en.htm Commissioner's website]
** [http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/wallstrom Commissioner's blog]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/communication/index_en.htm DG Communication]
** [http://europa.eu/debateeurope/index_en.htm Debate Europe]
** [http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/index_en.htm Your voice in Europe]
** [http://ec.europa.eu/communication_white_paper/index_en.htm Communication policy white paper]
** [http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm Europe direct]
* [http://www.youtube.com/eutube Commission's youtube channel]

References