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27 August 2020EU vice president in charge of economic affairs, Valdis Dombrovskis, will take on interim responsibilities as trade commissioner following the resignation of Phil Hogan, presented last night. This was announced by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen."Under the treaties, it is now up to the Irish government to propose suitable candidates. As I have done in the past, I will invite Ireland to appoint a woman and a man. Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis will take responsibility for interim commercial affairs," he explained. . "Later I will decide on the definitive allocation of portfolios in the college of commissioners," he added.
Von der Leyen then thanked Hogan for his "successful" work as commissioner for trade and for his contribution to the work of the European Commission also in the previous legislature under the presidency of Jean-Claude Juncker, but he also referred to the alleged violations of the rules against Covid that led to his resignation.
The Irishman has been involved in a controversy after being accused of violating health regulations against Covid-19 in his country for, among other things, attending a dinner at a golf club with more participants than allowed.
"While Europe is struggling to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and Europeans are making sacrifices and accepting the painful restrictions, my expectation for the members of the college of commissioners is that they will be particularly careful to comply with the rules and recommendations," he said. called von der Leyen.
I am grateful to Commissioner @PhilHoganEU for his tireless & successful work @EU_Commission.
I invite the Irish government to propose a female and a male candidate. In the meantime, VP @VDombrovskis will assume responsibility for trade. pic.twitter.com/yRL5hE2ulG