The Appointment of Vale de Almeida: A symbol of the Commission's predominance of the EEAS?
The recent appointment of João Vale de Almeida to be the head of the EU’s delegation in Washington D.C. sparked waves of controversy among the Member States. Why has this manoeuvre of Catherine Ashton become so polemical? What does it tell us about the institutional posturing of the new European External Action Service (EEAS)?
The appointment of João Vale de Almeida has caused controversy for two main reasons. First, there was an expectation that a heavyweight politician, as in the previous example of John Bruton who is a former Prime Minister of Ireland, would be appointed to head this important office rather than a functionary of the Commission. Vale de Almeida’s former function as Barroso’s right arm (as the head of Barroso’s private office) confirms national governments’ suspicion that the Commission is attempting to pre-emptively assert its role in the new Lisbon Treaty paradigm. Vale de Almeida is also a key member of the group of experts who is advising Ashton during the initial phases for setting up the EEAS, giving the Commission an important voice and strategic influence during a critical phase for the formation of the service.
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The Appointment of Vale de Almeida: A symbol of the Commission's predominance of the EEAS?
