European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy

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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.

1 Current commissioner
2 List of commissioners
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] 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.^[1]

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)^[2], an open forum called "Debate Europe", a channel on youtube^[3] 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."^[4] "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."^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7]^[8]

[edit] List of commissioners

	Name	Country	Period	Commission
1	Carlo Scarascia-Mugnozza	Italy	1973–1977	Ortoli
3	Richard Burke	Ireland	1977–1981	Jenkins
4	Frans Andriessen	Netherlands	1981–1985	Thorn
5	Grigoris Varfis	Greece	1985–1989	Delors I
5	Martin Bangemann	Germany	1989–1992	Delors II
6	João de Deus Pinheiro	Portugal	1992–1995	Delors III
7	Marcelino Oreja	Spain	1995–1999	Santer
9	Loyola de Palacio	Spain	1999–2004	Prodi
10	Margot Wallström	Sweden	2004-2009	Barroso